Sanjay Bangar, appointed as Director of Cricket by Punjab Kings in December 2023, has been dismissed by the franchise, as per reports from ESPNcricinfo. His earlier tenure as head coach from 2014 to 2016 saw the team reach the 2014 IPL final, but this second stint has ended prematurely as the Kings aim for a fresh approach. At the same time, head coach Trevor Bayliss, who took over from Anil Kumble in 2022, has also been shown the exit. Hired with an aim to turn around the team’s fortunes, Punjab Kings finished eighth in 2023 and dropped to ninth in 2024 under his stewardship, prompting the franchise to make the change.
Previously, Ricky Ponting had been announced as the new head coach of Punjab Kings ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction, just months after he departed from Delhi Capitals. The Australian cricket icon has signed a four-year deal with PBKS, granting him the authority to assemble his own coaching team.
The 2025 IPL season is set to be pivotal for Punjab Kings, a franchise that has repeatedly faced challenges in achieving top-tier performance. With Ponting leading the charge and a complete overhaul underway, the team is optimistic about transforming its fortunes and finally securing the coveted IPL trophy.
