Sunil Joshi has officially stepped down from his position as spin bowling coach of the Punjab Kings ahead of the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season, according to multiple reports. His resignation, submitted via a formal letter to the franchise on Sunday, comes amid strong indications that he may take up a new role at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)‘s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
His departure was confirmed by a Punjab Kings official, who told Cricbuzz: “He has written to us about his unavailability for the coming season. He is a good guy and the franchise has a good equation with him. But we don’t want to come in the way of someone’s career growth.”
Possible BCCI appointment behind Joshi’s exit
While Joshi has not publicly confirmed his future plans, multiple reports suggest he is set to take up responsibilities at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, a move that would mark his return to national-level cricket administration. His previous stint with the BCCI includes roles as chief selector and later as a selector.
In his most recent term with Punjab Kings, Joshi served under head coach Ricky Ponting, who is believed to have shared a strong working relationship with him. Joshi is said to have personally informed Ponting of his decision to resign. Although Ponting has not commented publicly, he is understood to have supported Joshi’s decision in view of the opportunity with the BCCI.
A recurring figure in PBKS’s coaching setup
This marks Joshi’s second departure from Punjab Kings. He previously served on the support staff during Anil Kumble’s coaching tenure from 2020 to 2022 before moving on to work with the BCCI and later the Uttar Pradesh state team as head coach. He rejoined PBKS for the 2023 season.
Joshi, 55, represented India in 15 Tests and 69 ODIs between 1996 and 2001. He also played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore during the league’s early years.
Continuity and changes at PBKS
Joshi’s departure comes at a time when Punjab Kings have seen a resurgence under the leadership of head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer. The franchise reached the IPL final in 2025 — their first since 2014 — before falling short against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
As Punjab looks to build on its recent momentum, Joshi’s exit will leave a vacancy in the spin coaching department. The franchise is expected to initiate the process of identifying a replacement ahead of the next season.
While the official word from the BCCI on Joshi’s new role is still awaited, his resignation signals a likely shift back into national cricket operations — a space where he has already held multiple key positions.
