Sunil Joshi Exits Punjab Kings, Eyes Coaching Role at BCCI Center of Excellence

Sunil Joshi has stepped down from the Punjab Kings team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former India spinner, part of the Ricky Ponting-led support staff at Punjab, wrote to the franchise on Sunday informing his inability to continue.

Joshi, it is understood, may be joining the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at its Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Joshi was a spin-bowling coach at PBKS.

His exit has been confirmed by a Punjab Kings official. "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," a franchise official told Cricbuzz.

Joshi (55) is believed to have written to Ponting as well. While the Australian could not be immediately reached for comment, it is learnt that he shared a good rapport with Joshi and would have preferred him to continue with the franchise. However, Ponting is understood to have appreciated Joshi's decision, recognising potential career opportunities at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.

Joshi was with the Punjab Kings in the past as well, under head coach Anil Kumble (between 2020-22), before leaving the team to join the the BCCI as chief selector and later as a selector. He was also the head coach of Uttar Pradesh State team for a brief period.

Joshi played 15 Tests and 69 ODIs in a career spanning five years between 1996 and 2001. He could not be immediately contacted for cormal confirmation on his future plans.