The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially appointed Sairaj Bahutule as the spin bowling coach for the senior men’s national team. The announcement, made on June 2, 2026, brings a highly experienced figure back into the Indian cricket setup in a key coaching role.
Bahutule, a former India international, possesses extensive credentials both as a player and coach. He represented the country in two Test matches and eight One-Day Internationals. His first-class career was particularly notable, spanning nearly two decades, during which he accumulated 6,176 runs and took 630 wickets, marking him as a significant all-round contributor on the domestic scene.
After retiring from playing, Bahutule transitioned successfully into coaching and has earned respect across Indian cricket circles. He has served as head coach for several state teams, including Vidarbha, Kerala, Gujarat, and Bengal. In the Indian Premier League, he worked as a spin bowling coach with the Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.
His contributions to India’s development pathways have been substantial. Bahutule served as bowling coach for the India Under-19 team that won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2022 and was part of the coaching staff for the 2024 edition. He has also undertaken multiple assignments with India A and the senior men’s team as a specialist bowling coach. Additionally, he was actively involved at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (now known as the Centre of Excellence) from 2021 to 2024.
Commenting on his new role, Bahutule expressed his gratitude: “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.”
The appointment underscores the BCCI’s focus on strengthening the spin bowling department with proven domestic and international expertise. Bahutule’s deep understanding of Indian conditions and player development is expected to play a vital role in the team’s preparations ahead.