Reports: James Hopes set to become fast-bowling coach of Punjab Kings

James Hopes (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

According to a fresh development, it is highly likely that the Punjab Kings will retain the bulk of their backend staff post the arrival of new head coach, Ricky Ponting. The erstwhile Australian maestro recently resigned as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals after spending seven long seasons with them and was appointed as the Kings’ head coach on September 18, 2024.

According to reports, fielding coach Brad Haddin and spin-bowling coach Sunil Joshi have been retained from the previous regimen during which Trevor Bayliss was the franchise’s head coach and Sanjay Bangar the Head of Cricket Development. It is also being surmised that James Hopes, whose services Ponting availed while with the Capitals, will be roped in by the Kings as their fast-bowling coach.

“Brad Haddin and Sunil (Joshi) have been retained. James Hopes is likely to be the fast-bowling coach,” stated a source closely related to the latest developments occurring in the Indian Premier League, as per News18. The source also noted that the think tank is yet to finalize the number of retentions for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League. “Ricky and his team will decide on the player retention soon,” added the source.

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PBKS aims for a turnaround in fortunes after bulky additions to support staff

The reported star-studded operational personnel headed by Ponting would be keen on reversing the trajectory on which the franchise has been headed in for quite some seasons now. Ponting, who has been appointed on a four-year contract, will aim for a top-four finish at the bare minimum.

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With their sole appearance in the final coming in 2014, they have failed to notch a top-five position in the past seven seasons and ended up finishing ninth out in the 10-franchise league during IPL 2024.

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