Punjab Kings is likely to sign Sairaj Bahutule as their new spin bowling coach of the team ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League. The former Indian leg-spinner Bahutule was working with Rajasthan Royals last season and is believed to have cut ties with the franchise. According to IANS, Bahutule has already parted with Rajasthan Royals and has been participating in Punjab KIngs scouting expeditions. A source said to IANS, “It is understood that Bahutule has started the scouting work for Punjab Kings ahead of the franchise making their plans for IPL 2026 auction in December." Notably, Sunil Joshi has departed from Punjab Kings, and Bahutule will be replacing him. With Bahutule coming to Punjab, he will be joining the head coach Rickey Ponting and assistant coach Brad Haddin. The other members in the coaching group are James Hopes and Trevor Gonsalves. Well, Joshi had to depart from the troop after he got a call from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Another coach, Ryan ten Douchate, had also departed right after the season ended. Douchate is currently the strength and conditioning coach of the Indian men's cricket team. It was the Dutchmanwho added the Bronco test in the Indian team. Read also: Justin Langer Retained as LSG Head Coach for IPL 2026 Bahutule's career as a player and coach The 52-year-old Sairaj Bahutule has played just two Test matches. With the ball, he took 3 wickets and has 39 runs with the bat. Apart from that, he played 8 ODIS, where he took 2 wickets. Before joining Rajasthan Royals as a bowling coach for the second time, he had spent three years at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He was with RR from 2018 to 2021. He even served the Kerala Cricket team in 2014 and later got the call from the Bengal Cricket team in 2018. Notably, Punjab Kings had finished at the top, and had ended as the runners-up in 2025 after being defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals had a tough season and ended ninth on the table. With Bahutule leaving the RR, this is the third coach signing off from the franchise after their head coach Rahul Dravid departed.