The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Sairaj Bahutule as the spin bowling coach for the senior men’s India team. The appointment, announced in a media release on Tuesday, June 2, brings in a coach with a long track record in nurturing spin craft across domestic and franchise cricket, along with experience at multiple levels of the national setup.
Key takeaways
- Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as India’s spin bowling coach for the senior men’s team.
- The BCCI release notes his background as both a former India player and a long-time coaching figure.
- As a cricketer, Bahutule played 2 Tests and 8 ODIs for India and took 630 first-class wickets.
- His coaching experience includes roles with IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings as a spin bowling coach.
- He was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning coaching group in 2022 and worked with the staff again for the 2024 edition.
- Bahutule will join the senior national programme after previous stints that include work with India A and the senior men’s team in specialist bowling capacities.
From India player to spin specialist coach
Bahutule’s appointment is backed by a playing career that spanned nearly two decades in first-class cricket, where he featured in 188 matches. Across that long run, he finished with 630 wickets and also contributed with the bat, accumulating 6,176 runs—an all-round output that underlined his impact on the domestic circuit.
After hanging up his boots, Bahutule moved into coaching, a path that has taken him through domestic competitions, pathway structures, and international cricket. His coaching journey has included head coach responsibilities with teams such as Vidarbha, Kerala, Gujarat, and Bengal, reflecting a wide-ranging experience in developing players across conditions and age groups.
IPL and national programme experience
In the IPL, Bahutule has worked specifically as a spin bowling coach with Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings. That franchise exposure complements his broader coaching work, including roles with India A and the senior men’s team as a specialist bowling coach on multiple assignments.
His national team experience also extends to youth cricket: he served as the bowling coach for India’s Under-19 side that won the World Cup in 2022. He was also part of the coaching staff for the 2024 Under-19 World Cup.
Additionally, Bahutule was included in the BCCI coaching set-up at the National Cricket Academy, now known as the Centre of Excellence, from 2021 to 2024—work that aligns with the board’s focus on building skills and pathways through structured training environments.
Bahutule’s reaction
Bahutule described the new role as a significant honour. “It is a tremendous honour to be appointed as the spin bowling coach of the Indian men’s team,” he said. He added that representing India as a player was a source of immense pride, and that returning to contribute in a coaching capacity feels especially meaningful. Bahutule also expressed his eagerness to work with the players and help the team pursue excellence across formats.
