Punjab Kings on Full Reset Mode, Sanjay Bangar sacked along with Head Coach Trevor ahead of IPL 2025 Auction

Ahead of the 2025 IPL Auction, massive changes have been made to the management as Punjab Kings removed both their Director of Cricket Sanjay Bangar and head coach Trevor Bayliss. It is part of the larger reset initiated towards the franchise, who is looking for a winning formula after a disappointing season. Sanjay Bangar was inducted as the Director of Cricket of the Punjab Kings in December 2023. In the same period, Bayliss was brought in to replace Anil Kumble but under his helm, the team finished 8th in 2023 and 9th in 2024.

According to the ESPNcricinfo report, even the Director of Cricket Sanjay Bangar has been relieved from duty by the Punjab Kings franchise. Bangar was part of the team as head coach in the 2014-2016 season when the team reached their maiden final in 2014. However, his second term with the Kings ended prematurely as the franchise opted to start afresh. Punjab Kings head coach Trevor Bayliss has also been given axe ahead of IPL 2022.

The appointment of former Australian captain Ricky Ponting as the head coach of Punjab Kings was the beginning of their restructuring. An aggressive leader with one of the finest cricketing minds, Ponting penned a four-year contract from 2025 to 2028 with the franchise. His appointment is a signal of a new beginning that the Kings hope will change their inconsistency problem.

Ponting said in a recent interview that we are not going to sit back and accept mediocrity. People will talk differently about this team and this franchise. Let us tell you that over the past decade, Punjab Kings have struggled to maintain stability in their coaching setup. Sanjay Bangar, Virender Sehwag, Brad Hodge, Mike Hesson, Anil Kumble and Trevor Bayliss all played different roles at different times. Despite this, the team has not yet been able to win the IPL title.

With the IPL 2025 auction approaching, Punjab Kings are eager to enter the new season with a clean slate. The removal of Bangar and Bayliss is part of this strategy, as the franchise aims to rebuild its core both on and off the field. Under Ponting's leadership, Punjab Kings are expected to be more dynamic and focused as they prepare for the auction.

The upcoming IPL 2025 season will be a crucial one for Punjab Kings, a team that has struggled to consistently perform at the highest level. With Ponting at the helm and a complete reset, the franchise hopes to turn their fortunes around and finally bring home the coveted IPL trophy.