Who is Sairaj Bahutule? All you need to know about India's newest spin-bowling coach

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the appointment of Sairaj Bahutule as the new spin bowling coach of the Indian cricket team (senior men).

A former India international and a domestic stalwart, Bahutule brings with him a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation for nurturing and developing spin-bowling talent across domestic and franchise cricket.

Who is Sairaj Bahutule?

Bahutule represented India in two Tests and eight One-Day Internationals and enjoyed a distinguished first-class career spanning nearly two decades. A prolific performer on the domestic circuit, he scored 6176 runs and claimed 630 wickets in first-class cricket, establishing himself as one of the game's finest all-round contributors.

Sairaj Bahutule coaching career

Following a distinguished playing career, 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.

Bahutule's contributions to Indian cricket

A key contributor to India's player development pathway, he was the bowling coach of India's ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup-winning team in 2022 and was also part of the coaching staff for the 2024 edition of the tournament. He has worked extensively with India A and the senior men's team as a specialist bowling coach on multiple assignments and was a key member of the coaching setup at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy (now Centre of Excellence) from 2021 to 2024.

"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 in an official statement.