Sunil Joshi Steps Down from Punjab Kings Ahead of IPL 2026, Eyes BCCI Role

Former India cricketer Sunil Joshi has decided to step down from his role with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the next IPL season. Joshi, who was working with head coach Ricky Ponting as part of the team’s support staff, told the franchise that he won’t be available for the upcoming season.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, Joshi is likely to take up a new role at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. At PBKS, he worked as the spin bowling coach.

A Punjab Kings official confirmed his departure, saying, “He’s informed us about his unavailability for the coming season. He’s a great guy and we’ve had a good working relationship with him. But we respect his decision and don’t want to stand in the way of his career growth.”

Sunil Joshi Leaves Punjab Kings Ahead of Next IPL Season

Joshi has told Ponting about his decision in writing. Ponting hasn’t commented, but he is said to have had a good relationship with Joshi and would have liked him to stay. Still, he is understood to have respected Joshi’s choice and supported him, knowing it’s a great opportunity at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

This isn’t Joshi’s first time with Punjab Kings. He had worked with the team earlier when Anil Kumble was the head coach, before taking up the role of India’s chief selector and later joining the national selection panel.

He also had a short stint as the head coach of the Uttar Pradesh state team. Now 55, Joshi played 15 Tests and 69 ODIs for India between 1996 and 2001. He hasn’t shared any details yet about what he plans to do next.

Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings had a great season in the last tournament, winning 9 out of 14 matches. Their run ended when they lost the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

ALSO SEE:  Australia Announce ODI and T20I Squads for India Series; Marsh to Captain, Green Returns