Sairaj Bahutule Named India Spin Coach for Afghanistan Test

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-06-03

The Board of Control for Cricket in India made it official on June 2: Sairaj Bahutule is the new spin-bowling coach for the senior men's national team. The 53-year-old former leg-spinner jumps right in, joining the squad immediately to prepare for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan. This is a big boost for the coaching staff as they gear up for the one-off Test match in Mullanpur starting June 6. The BCCI confirmed Bahutule will oversee the spin department across all formats. He's already linked up with the Indian camp in New Chandigarh. His appointment fills a vital role as India looks to improve its performance in the longest format of the game. The team has some ground to make up after recent home losses. ### A Distinguished Playing Career and Domestic Success Sairaj Bahutule had an excellent career that spanned almost two decades. He was a stalwart of Indian domestic cricket and a prolific all-rounder. He played two Test matches and eight One Day Internationals for India between 1997 and 2003. His international career may have been short, but his domestic record is still one of the best in the history of the game. Bahutule was known for his leg-spin and his ability to score useful runs for his team. He played 188 first-class matches, taking an incredible 630 wickets. As a batsman, he scored more than 6,000 runs in his career. That's a rare combination of skill and consistency. ### Extensive Coaching Experience in Domestic and IPL Cricket After retiring from playing, Bahutule built a reputation as a top-quality coach. He's worked at all levels of the game: domestic, pathway, and international cricket. He's been the head coach of major domestic teams like Vidarbha, Kerala, Gujarat, and Bengal. He also gained valuable experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was the spin-bowling coach for the Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2021, then returned for the 2025 season. Most recently, he served as the Punjab Kings' spin coach in the 2026 IPL season. That IPL exposure gave him a front-row seat to some of the best players in the world. Bahutule also played a key role in developing young talent in India. He was the bowling coach for the India team that won the 2022 ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup. He was also part of the coaching staff in 2024 when the Under-19 team reached the tournament final. From 2021 to 2024, he worked at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy, now called the Centre of Excellence. ### Integrating into the National Team Management Bahutule will now work with a coaching setup led by head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir returns to his duties after the IPL 2026 break. The support staff includes Sitanshu Kotak as batting coach, Morne Morkel as fast-bowling coach, T Dilip as fielding coach, and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coach. Bahutule's addition completes this expert team. Upon his appointment, Bahutule shared his excitement. "It was a matter of huge pride to represent India as a player," he said. He added that it's very special to contribute again as a coach. He looks forward to working with the players to achieve excellence across all formats. ### Challenges for the New Spin Coach Bahutule faces some immediate challenges. India has struggled recently in home Test series. The team lost 3-0 to New Zealand in 2024, and 2-0 to South Africa in 2025. The BCCI wants Bahutule to help the spinners regain their dominance on Indian pitches. The upcoming series against Afghanistan is his first test. India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match followed by three ODIs. The Test match in Mullanpur will be a real opportunity for the spinners to find their rhythm again.