Who Is Sairaj Bahutule? Meet India's New Spin-Bowling Coach

Former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule has joined the Indian men's cricket team as spin-bowling coach ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, scheduled from June 6 to 10.

The appointment strengthens India's coaching setup at a time when the team is looking to improve its performances across formats. Bahutule will oversee the spin-bowling department and work with India's current crop of spinners in both Test and limited-overs cricket.

The 53-year-old arrives in the national setup after serving as spin-bowling coach for Punjab Kings during IPL 2026.

What coaching experience does Bahutule bring to the role?

Bahutule has built a strong coaching résumé over the past decade through assignments in domestic cricket, the Indian Premier League and the national cricket pathway.

He has previously worked with Kerala and Bengal in domestic cricket and served as part of the coaching staff at Rajasthan Royals between 2018 and 2021.

His experience also includes a significant stint at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he worked with India A teams and contributed to several senior men's team assignments during Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach.

After returning to Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2025, Bahutule joined Punjab Kings for the 2026 season before earning his latest national team role.

What was Bahutule's record as a player?

Although his international career was relatively brief, Bahutule enjoyed a highly successful domestic cricket journey.

He represented India between 1997 and 2003, playing two Test matches and eight One-Day Internationals.

However, his greatest impact came in domestic cricket, where he established himself as one of India's most accomplished spinners. Across 188 first-class matches, he claimed 630 wickets, while also taking 197 wickets in 143 List A matches.

His vast experience in Indian conditions is expected to be a valuable asset as he mentors the country's next generation of spin bowlers.

Who will Bahutule work with in India's coaching staff?

Bahutule joins an experienced support staff led by head coach Gautam Gambhir.

The coaching group also includes batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.

His primary responsibility will be to develop India's spin resources and support players across all formats of the game.

Why is the appointment significant at this stage?

The appointment comes at an important juncture for Indian cricket.

India currently sits sixth in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, having registered four wins, four defeats and one draw from nine matches.

The team has also endured a challenging period in home Test cricket, losing two of its last three Test series. These defeats included a 3-0 loss to New Zealand in 2024 and a 2-0 defeat against South Africa in 2025.

Given India's long-standing reputation for producing world-class spinners, strengthening the spin-bowling department is likely to be a key focus moving forward.

What challenges await Bahutule in his new role?

Bahutule's first assignment will be the one-off Test against Afghanistan, which marks India's first red-ball fixture of 2026.

The match will be followed by a three-match ODI series between June 14 and June 20.

One of his immediate tasks will be working with established spin options such as Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar while helping develop emerging talents including Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey.

With India seeking to rebuild momentum in the World Test Championship and maintain its dominance in home conditions, the performance of the spin unit could play a crucial role in the team's success.

What do India's squads for the Afghanistan series look like?

Shubman Gill will lead India in both the Test and ODI formats against Afghanistan.

In Test cricket, KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain, replacing Rishabh Pant in the role. For the ODI series, Shreyas Iyer will serve as vice-captain.

The squads combine experienced stars such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya with a number of younger players who are being groomed for future leadership and long-term roles within the national setup.

What does Bahutule's appointment mean for Indian cricket?

Bahutule's elevation reflects the growing importance of specialised coaching roles within modern cricket.

His experience across domestic cricket, IPL franchises, India A teams and the NCA gives him a deep understanding of India's talent pipeline. As the national team prepares for crucial assignments in the World Test Championship cycle and major limited-overs tournaments, his expertise could prove valuable in strengthening one of India's traditional strengths—spin bowling.

(With inputs from ANI)