Gillespie and Ronchi Appointed PSL 2026 Coaches

PSL 2026: New Coaches are IN!

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season should be pretty cool. Two new teams are joining, and there are some big coaching changes. Jason Gillespie is now the head coach for Hyderabad. This is his first coaching job in Pakistan since he quit as Pakistan’s Test coach back in 2024. Also, Luke Ronchi will be the new head coach of Islamabad United. He used to play there and even helped them win a PSL title in 2018.

These announcements are happening just before the PSL 2026 player auction on February 11. Both teams can now start building their squads with some experienced guidance. Gillespie and Ronchi should make the league more legit and could bring some cool tactics and help the players get better.

Jason Gillespie Back in Pakistan

Gillespie is coming back to Pakistani cricket after a tough time as Pakistan’s Test coach. He left because he didn’t agree with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in 2024. Even though things didn’t end well, Hyderabad trusts him. They think he’s good at helping players grow and knows his stuff when it comes to strategy.

Gillespie used to play cricket for Australia. He likes to be thorough when he coaches, especially with fast bowlers and game plans. He should help young players at Hyderabad get used to the pressure of franchise cricket while still keeping the team’s strategy and their own skills in mind.

Gillespie said he’s excited for the challenge. He wants to work with the team and assist them start a Kingman’s team. The Hyderabad team owners agree. They believe hiring Gillespie shows they have a clear plan and want to be great.

Luke Ronchi Returns to Islamabad United

Luke Ronchi as head coach will make Islamabad United feels stable. Ronchi played for Islamabad United from 2018 to 2020. He helped the team win the PSL in 2018. He was known for batting hard and quick. After he retired, he became a coach and has been helping out New Zealand.

Ronchi said it’s a “huge honor” to be back. He’s excited to help the next generation of players become leaders and win matches for Islamabad United. He has experience as a player and a coach, so he can bring some good tactics, game smarts, and guide the young and experienced players on the team.

What This Means for PSL 2026 Teams

Hyderabad and Islamabad United will depend on their new coaches to pick good teams at the player auction soon. Gillespie will likely focus on discipline, fast bowling plans, and strategy. This should help Hyderabad get a head start because it’s a brand new team. Ronchi knows Islamabad United well and wants them to play fearlessly. That should help the team play well all season.

Hiring these coaches shows that the PSL wants experienced international cricketers to coach. This should make franchise cricket in Pakistan way better. The coaches should change how players perform, their tactics, and how teams work together.

Problems and Stuff

Gillespie didn’t leave the PCB on the best terms, so people will be talking about that now that he’s coaching Hyderabad. People will be paying attention to see if he can handle franchise cricket and get along with the players and management.

Ronchi is back with a team he knows, but he needs to turn his individual skills into a solid team performance. He will focus on making the team’s leadership better, helping them adapt, and play consistently.

What to Expect

Hyderabad will likely have disciplined bowling and well-organized batting under Gillespie. Young fast bowlers and all-rounders might do well with his coaching. If their plan works, they could be surprisingly good in PSL 2026.

Islamabad United, with Ronchi, will probably play hard like there’s no tomorrow. Middle-order players will adjust to the game quickly. Having experienced and young players together could make them a tough team to beat for the PSL title.

My Thoughts

From where I’m sitting, hiring Gillespie is smart. Hyderabad is a new team and needs a coach who can build structure and help young players get better. Despite some issues in the past, Gillespie’s coaching experience makes him a good choice to make Hyderabad a real contender.

Ronchi’s return to Islamabad United feels right. He’s been with the team before and gets the PSL vibe. I think he will help the team play fearlessly and develop their players, which will keep the team playing well all season.

Both coaches should be key in their teams’ success and in training players who could play for Pakistan in T20 and ODI matches. The PSL 2026 season could be so exciting, with new strategies, intense games, and new stars showing up thanks to these coaches.