Punjab Kings is set for another rebuild as they are set to replace their newly appointed captain Mayank Agarwal and appoint a new leader in his place. Jonny Bairstow is the top contender to replace him. Similarly, reports say that PBKS is also set to part ways with head coach Anil Kumble after a sub-par performance over the last three seasons.
Talking about Mayank Agarwal, reportedly he wouldn’t be traded or released and will be with the team as a player and not as a captain. “No Mayank is not in plans to lead. He will need to focus on batting. He will be a crucial player for us. As for Anil, we are discussing a few options but nothing has materialized yet. We have time left. We will take a call at the right time,” said a source close to Punjab Kings.
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Mayank Agarwal had his worst season in IPL and couldn’t recreate his incredible form from 2020 and 2021. In 13 matches, Mayank only put up 196 runs at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 122.50. After his disappointing IPL performance, he was also dropped from the Indian team.
Mayank wasn’t always the first-choice captain for Punjab Kings as he had no captaincy experience, Punjab initially wanted Shikhar Dhawan as their captain but selected Agarwal based on his age factor. But the decision fell through as in 12 innings, Mayank was dismissed for 5 single-digit scores.
Reports further suggest that PBKS is contacting Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan for the coaching role. However, at this point, nothing is concrete yet. "The Mohali team has apparently decided not to renew Anil Kumble’s three-year contract, which ends this September. They are already in search of candidates.”
“It is learnt that their representatives have approached the likes of Eoin Morgan, Trevor Bayliss and one former India coach. Eventually one of them or none of them may get the posting", a Punjab Kings official reported. Punjab under Anil Kumble only won just 19 from a possible 42 games they played in Indian Premier League.