India Appoint Sairaj Bahutule as Spin-Bowling Coach Ahead of Afghanistan Test

The Indian men’s cricket team has added a familiar face to its coaching staff with the appointment of former legspinner Sairaj Bahutule as spin-bowling coach ahead of the one-off Test match against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. The 53 year old will also work with the team’s spinners in white ball cricket, filling a role that has been vacant in the current support staff setup.

Bahutule joins the national side at a crucial juncture, as India prepare for their first Test of the year starting June 6. The team currently sits sixth on the World Test Championship points table, with four wins, four losses, and one draw from their nine Tests in the current cycle. Their recent home record has been challenging, with a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand in late 2024 followed by a 2-0 series defeat to South Africa in November 2025.

The former legspinner arrives after a stint with Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, where he served as spin bowling coach. He brings considerable domestic and franchise experience to the role, having previously worked with Kerala and Bengal in first class cricket, as well as Rajasthan Royals across multiple IPL seasons. Bahutule has also toured with the senior men’s team during Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach and was involved with India A assignments.

His own playing career was brief at the international level, featuring in only two Tests and eight ODIs for India between 1997 and 2003. However, his domestic record remains exceptional. Over a career spanning two decades, Bahutule claimed 630 wickets in 188 first class matches and 197 wickets in 143 List A games with his leg spin bowling.

Bahutule will work alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir and the existing support staff including Sitanshu Kotak (batting), Morne Morkel (fast bowling), T Dilip (fielding), and Ryan ten Doeschate (assistant coach). The team’s immediate focus is the Test against Afghanistan, scheduled from June 6 to 10 at New Chandigarh.

                                               

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