I want them to play the game for the reasons they started playing the game: PBKS coach Trevor Bayliss

Trevor Bayliss. (Photo Source: Twitter/PunjabKingsIPL)

Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) head coach Trevor Bayliss has said that he wants his players to start enjoying the game first. The Australian cricket coach has been appointed by Punjab after sacking Anil Kumble leading into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season.

The 60-year-old former cricketer guided England to their first ODI World Cup in 2019. He has also coached IPL franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the past.

Ahead of the start of IPL 2023, Bayliss said that he wants PBKS players to start enjoying the game again. He also said that they should try to enjoy the tournament with a smile on their face. However, he also admitted that it might not guarantee success but they will give their best in the tournament.

“I want them to play the game for the reasons they started playing the game at the first place, which is the love for the game. I don’t know what it was like in the past but I will run this team like I have always done,” Bayliss said during a press conference ahead of the 2023 season.

“It doesn’t guarantee success but we will enjoy ourselves and play with a smile on our face but when we need to we will do the hard yards in the practice field,” he added.

Trevor Bayliss wants the team to finish well with the bat

The coach went on to say that Punjab Kings have to improve on their finishing which is what they failed to do in the last season. He added that they bought England’s Sam Curran for the same reason. The 24-year-old was roped in by PBKS for a whopping INR 18.50 crore during the mini-auction in December 2022, making him the most expensive pick in the history of the IPL.

“One of the things that we thought was lacking last year was not able to finish off innings with the bat. That was one of the reasons why we decided to go after a young all-rounder like Sam. He gives us strength in the middle-order and he is a world-class bowler as well,” Bayliss said.

Meanwhile, Punjab will lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders in their first match in the IPL 2023 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali on April 1.