Amit Uniyal named Punjab men's head coach as PCA reshuffles coaching staff
Synopsis
Punjab Cricket has burned through four head coaches in four seasons, and their Ranji Trophy record — three wins, ten losses over three years — explains why. Amit Uniyal inherits a squad that won a T20 title but can't hold a red-ball lineup together, having used 27 players and three captains last season alone. The real question isn't who's coaching — it's whether stability can finally be manufactured off the field.
Key Takeaways
Amit Uniyal appointed Punjab men's head coach on 8 August , replacing Sandeep Sharma .
Full coaching reshuffle: TP Singh (batting), Harmeet Singh (bowling), Manish Sharma (fielding) also named.
Uniyal is Punjab's fourth head coach in four seasons , following Salvi, Jaffer, and Sharma.
Punjab recorded just 3 wins and 10 losses in the Ranji Trophy across the last three seasons.
Last season Punjab used 27 players and 3 captains , including Shubman Gill for one match.
New selection committee named, headed by Gaurav Gupta .
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has appointed former left-arm seamer Amit Uniyal as the new head coach of the senior men's team ahead of the 2026/27 domestic season, replacing Sandeep Sharma in a sweeping overhaul of the state side's coaching structure. The announcement, made on 8 August, signals a fresh attempt to arrest Punjab's prolonged slump in red-ball cricket.
New Coaching Setup
Alongside Uniyal, the PCA has brought in TP Singh as batting coach, Harmeet Singh as bowling coach, and Manish Sharma as fielding coach. They succeed Uday Kaul, Gagandeep Singh, and Sandeep Sanwal respectively. The PCA has also constituted a new senior men's selection committee, to be chaired by Gaurav Gupta.
Uniyal's Background
Uniyal represented Punjab in 29 First-Class and 46 List A matches during his playing career, and turned out for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2009 IPL. He transitions into the head coach role after serving as assistant coach for Chandigarh in the 2020/21 season and then as their chairman of selectors last season. He becomes Punjab's fourth head coach in four seasons, following short tenures by Aavishkar Salvi, Wasim Jaffer, and Sandeep Sharma.
The Red-Ball Problem
The coaching reset comes against a backdrop of persistent underperformance in the Ranji Trophy. Punjab managed just three wins against ten losses across the last three seasons in red-ball cricket — a stark contrast to their Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy triumph in 2023/24. Last season compounded the structural issues: the side fielded 27 players and cycled through three different captains, including Shubman Gill who led the side in one Ranji Trophy game.
What Uniyal Said
Uniyal was candid about the challenge, particularly the gravitational pull of T20 cricket on young players. 'Since everyone wants to play in the IPL nowadays, they focus more on T20 cricket. But we have the potential, we have the talent, all we need is to play as a unit. We want to do better in red-ball cricket this time, and for that, you need bowlers who can take 20 wickets. So we will work towards that,' he said, according to Cricinfo.
On last season's selection volatility, Uniyal struck a measured tone. 'I don't know what happened last season. But obviously when the team is not winning, the changes are more. I just want us to play tough cricket without any fear of losing one's spot. If someone gets picked, he will get a proper opportunity,' he added.
What's Next
With a revamped selection panel and a full new coaching unit in place, Punjab will be looking to translate their T20 pedigree into red-ball consistency when the 2026/27 domestic season gets underway. The emphasis on bowling depth — specifically the ability to take 20 wickets in a match — will be the clearest early test of Uniyal's tenure.
Point of View
Three captains in one season) suggests the instability is systemic, not coincidental. Uniyal's emphasis on player security and bowling depth is the right diagnosis, but his predecessors had plans too. Until the selection committee and coaching staff operate with a shared, multi-season vision rather than reacting to each loss, Punjab's Ranji record is unlikely to change. The T20 trophy is real, but it can also mask the deeper dysfunction in the state's long-form cricket culture.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amit Uniyal, Punjab's new head coach?
Amit Uniyal is a former left-arm seamer who played 29 First-Class and 46 List A matches for Punjab and represented the Rajasthan Royals in the 2009 IPL . After retiring, he served as assistant coach and chairman of selectors for Chandigarh before being appointed Punjab's head coach ahead of the 2026/27 domestic season.
Why did the PCA overhaul its coaching staff?
Punjab's Ranji Trophy record over the last three seasons — just three wins against ten losses — prompted the overhaul. Last season was particularly turbulent, with the side using 27 different players and three separate captains, pointing to deep selection instability.
Who else was appointed in the new Punjab coaching setup?
Alongside Uniyal, the PCA appointed TP Singh as batting coach, Harmeet Singh as bowling coach, and Manish Sharma as fielding coach. A new selection committee chaired by Gaurav Gupta was also announced.
How many head coaches has Punjab had in recent seasons?
Uniyal is Punjab's fourth head coach in four seasons. He follows Aavishkar Salvi , Wasim Jaffer , and Sandeep Sharma , all of whom had short stints in charge.
What is Uniyal's priority for Punjab cricket?
Uniyal has identified red-ball performance as the primary goal, specifically building a bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets in a match. He has also stressed giving selected players a sustained run in the team to end the cycle of constant changes.
