Wasim Jaffer set to be named as Punjab Kings head coach

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) is poised to reappoint former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer as their head coach. The development comes merely a day after reports circulated indicating that the franchise is looking for an Indian coach.

Jaffer is set to rejoin the Mohali-based franchise for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League as per the Indian Express, marking his third tenure with the team. Jaffer served as the batting coach of PBKS from 2019 to 2021 but resigned prior to the IPL 2022 auction. Ahead of the previous season, he was released from his role as batting consultant.

During both the tenures (batting coach from 2019 to 2021 and batting consultant in 2023), the franchise's batting performance was less than stellar. Accumulating only 9,482 runs in 1,100 overs at a run rate of 8.63, they were subpar compared to most other franchises within the same timeframe. 

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Jaffer, who has represented India in 31 Tests, confronts a considerable challenge upon his return to the Punjab Kings setup. As one of the eight original IPL franchises, the team has faltered in their quest to reach the playoffs for ten successive seasons, since their solitary appearance in the IPL final in 2014. In that match, they endured a heart-wrenching defeat by three wickets against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

PBKS indeed experienced a significant decline when they relieved the Indian domestic legend from his role within the franchise. They languished in ninth place out of ten franchises, finishing just above the Mumbai Indians, who ended at the bottom of the standings.