Punjab Kings set to appoint Trevor Bayliss as head coach; had guided England to ODI World Cup title in 2019

PTI

New Delhi, September 3

Punjab Kings are set to sign World Cup winning coach Trevor Bayliss as the head coach ahead of the 2023 IPL with expectation that the Australian guides them to the elusive title.

The 59-year-old from New South Wales is an IPL regular and most recently coached the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Besides guiding England to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 2019, Bayliss headed the support staff of Kolkata Knight Riders when they won IPL in 2012 and 2014.  

Bayliss replaces India great Anil Kumble, whose contract was not renewed after the team failed to make the play-offs in his three-year term.

Punjab’s only final appearance in IPL history came in 2014 when they lost to KKR.

“The team has decided to go ahead with Trevor who is among the best in the business and has a proven record. The management is hoping that the team goes on to win the title under his guidance,” an IPL source told PTI.

The paperwork on Bayliss’ signing is expected to be completed soon.

Punjab, a team which could not perform to the optimum level consistently since IPL’s inception in 2008, have finished sixth in the last four seasons.

They have a tendency to blow hot and cold, contributing to their downfall. That is one aspect Bayliss would surely like to work on when he joins the team.

In the most recent IPL, they failed to string two wins in a row in the league stage, effectively leading to their early exit.  

Another important decision the management has to make is about captaincy. Mayank Agarwal had taken over from KL Rahul last season but he could not meet the expectations with the bat.

The owners and management have a lot of faith in Agarwal’s abilities and he could get another year to lead the side.

He and Arshdeep Singh were the only two players Punjab had retained ahead of the 2022 IPL.