Wasim Jaffer reappointed as batting coach of Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2023

Punjab Kings have announced more changes to their support staff ahead of the next IPL, bringing back Wasim Jaffer as their batting coach and Charl Langeveldt as the bowling coach. They have also roped in Brad Haddin as the assistant coach.

In September, they appointed Trevor Bayliss as head coach, after Anil Kumble's contract was not renewed. Earlier this month, Shikhar Dhawan replaced Mayank Agarwal - who was also recently released from the squad - as captain for IPL 2023. Kings had failed to make the playoffs for three consecutive seasons under Kumble.

Jaffer, who was appointed in the role ahead of the 2020 season under Kumble, had stepped down ahead of the mega auction last year. In July 2021, he was appointed chief coach of the Odisha Ranji team following which he took up a role with the Bangladesh U-19 side.

Langeveldt, meanwhile, worked as Punjab's bowling coach during IPL 2020 and was replaced by Damien Wright in 2021. He is also currently the bowling coach of the South Africa men's team.

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Haddin will once again team up with Bayliss, with whom he had previously worked at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the same role.

Following yet another season in which they failed to make the final four, Kings have rung in changes, releasing nine players at the end of the retention deadline day on November 15. Apart from Agarwal and Odean Smith, none of their other releases were major players in their first XI last season, and Kings go into the IPL 2023 auction, slated for December 23, with the second-highest purse of INR 32.2 crore.