FILE PHOTO: Bahutule was the spin bowling coach of IPL franchise Punjab Kings for the 2026 season. | Photo Credit: SPORTSTAR

Former India spinner Sairaj Bahutule was on Tuesday appointed the spin-bowling coach of the Indian men’s cricket team.

Bahutule, who played two Tests and eight ODIs between 1997 and 2003, brings with him a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach. In 188 First-Class matches, he has picked 630 wickets, along with 197 scalps in List A cricket. He also had an impressive record with the bat, averaging 31.83 and scoring over 6000 runs in First-Class cricket.

“Following a distinguished playing career, Mr Bahutule has established himself as one of the most respected coaches in Indian cricket. His coaching journey has spanned domestic, pathway and international cricket, including tenures as Head Coach of Vidarbha, Kerala, Gujarat and Bengal. He has also served as a spin-bowling coach with IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings,” a BCCI release stated.

The 53-year-old has also worked extensively with India’s Under-19 and A teams. He was the bowling coach of the 2022 Indian Under-19 World Cup-winning team and was a part of the coaching staff for the 2024 edition of the tournament, when India reached the final. From 2021 to 2024, Bahutule was a key member of the coaching setup at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (now Centre of Excellence).

“It is a tremendous honour to be appointed as the Spin Bowling Coach of the Indian Men’s Cricket 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,” Bahutule said on his appointment.

Published on Jun 02, 2026