Wasim Jaffer set to succeed Trevor Bayliss as Punjab Kings head coach - Reports
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer is set to be appointed as Punjab Kings' (PBKS) next head coach, according to a report by the Indian Express. The franchise were looking for an Indian candidate to replace Trevor Bayliss, who failed to guide the team into the playoffs in his two-year reign.
Wasim Jaffer has had two stints with PBKS in the past, serving as the batting coach during the 2019-21 cycle, and then again as a batting consultant for the 2023 season. He stepped down of his own volition ahead of the 202 mega auction in his first stint, while he was released by the franchise ahead of the 2024 season, the second time around.
PBKS' perennial struggle has escalated in recent times as they finished eighth and ninth under Bayliss' regime. With a mega auction coming up, the franchise have a lot of work on their hands to assemble a solid core that can overturn their fortunes.
Although Bayliss has a lot of accolades to his name, including successful stints with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and England in the past, his recent seasons in franchise cricket have not been memorable. A forgettable couple of seasons with PBKS is only the tip of the iceberg as the renowned coach has also struggled with the Sydney Thunder in the same time frame.
Bayliss' contract with PBKS came to an end after the 2024 season, and it is unlikely that the franchise will renew it, paving the way for Jaffer to take over.
Bayliss becomes the latest name in the off-season coaching mass exodus. There have been a lot of recent departures for a wide array of reasons, with the likes of Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting already parting ways with their franchises. If reports are to be believed, even more departures are to be expected.
Wasim Jaffer has had numerous coaching stints in the past apart from PBKS
The former batter has had several coaching gigs since his retirement from competitive cricket. He served as the batting coach of the Bangladesh youth side, and was head coach of Uttrakhand and Odisha in the Indian domestic circuit as well.
Reports earlier suggested that Sanjay Bangar, who is part of the PBKS coaching staff as director of cricket development, was the favorite to take on the head coach role. However, he is expected to keep hold of his current role while Jaffer takes over as head coach.