Sairaj Bahutule named India’s spin-bowling coach

Former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule has joined the Indian team as their spin-bowling coach ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. The 53-year-old will work with India’s spin bowlers across all formats.

Bahutule arrives after a successful stint with Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, where he served as the franchise’s spin-bowling coach. Over the years, he has built an impressive coaching resume, working with domestic teams such as Kerala and Bengal, and spending several seasons with Rajasthan Royals. He was part of the Royals’ support staff from 2018 to 2021 before moving to the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Advertisement

At the NCA, Bahutule was involved in several India A assignments and also worked with the senior national team during certain series when Rahul Dravid was head coach. After returning to Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2025, he has now taken up a full-time role with the Indian team.

As a player, Bahutule’s international career never quite matched his achievements in domestic cricket. He made his India debut in 1997 and played his last international match in 2003, featuring in only two Tests and eight One-Day Internationals.

However, he enjoyed a remarkable domestic career spanning nearly two decades. The Mumbai cricketer picked up 630 wickets in 188 first-class matches and added another 197 wickets in 143 List A games, establishing himself as one of the most successful leg-spinners in Indian domestic cricket.
Bahutule joins an Indian support staff that previously lacked a dedicated spin-bowling coach. He will work alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.

Reacting to his appointment, Bahutule said, “It is a tremendous honour to be appointed as the spin bowling coach of the Indian team. Representing India as a player was a matter of immense pride, and the opportunity to contribute to Indian cricket once again in a coaching capacity is deeply special. I look forward to working with the players and supporting the team’s pursuit of excellence across formats.”

India currently sit sixth in the World Test Championship standings, having recorded four wins, four defeats and one draw. The team has also endured a difficult run at home, losing two of their last three Test series, including a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand in late 2024 and a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in November 2025.

The Afghanistan Test, scheduled from June 6 to 10 in New Chandigarh, will be India’s first red-ball assignment of the year and comes less than a week after the conclusion of IPL 2026.