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Team India Eyes Sairaj Bahutule as New Spin Bowling Coach

Team India's senior management has asked the BCCI to appoint former spinner Sairaj Bahutule as the senior men's team's spin bowling coach. Bahutule, currently with Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, is expected to join the Indian team soon. The 53-year-old brings extensive coaching experience from stints with Kerala, Bengal, and Rajasthan Royals. India currently lacks a dedicated spin bowling coach and aims to transition from the legendary spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Key Points: Sairaj Bahutule to Join Team India as Spin Coach

  • Team India management requests Bahutule as spin coach
  • Currently with Punjab Kings in IPL 2025
  • Extensive coaching experience with Kerala, Bengal, Rajasthan Royals
  • Former Indian spinner played 2 Tests, 8 ODIs
  • India aims to transition from Ashwin-Jadeja era
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Team India management wants Sairaj Bahutule as spin bowling coach, ex-spinner to join team soon: Sources

Team India management wants Sairaj Bahutule as spin bowling coach. The former Indian spinner is likely to join the team soon, sources say.

"The two-time World Test Championship runners-up have asked for Sairaj to take up the role as the Test side aims to make a successful transition from the legendary spin duo. - Sources"

By Vipul Kashyap, Mumbai, May 8

Team India's senior management has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India to rope in former Indian spinner Sairaj Bahutule as senior men's team spin bowling coach, as per sources.

The sources also added that the spinner, currently serving as a spin bowling coach with the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) runners-up Punjab Kings (PBKS), is likely to join the team soon.

Bahutule has extensive coaching experience, having been involved as a coach with Kerala and Bengal cricket teams in the past and also served as the spin bowling coach of the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

The 53-year-old represented India in two Tests and eight ODIs, taking three Test wickets and two ODI wickets. He made a name for himself as a spinner who could bat in domestic cricket. In 188 first-class matches, the Mumbai-born took 630 wickets at an average of 26.00 and best figures of 8/71, including 27 five-fors and four ten-wicket-hauls. With the bat, he also made 6,176 runs at an average of 31.83, including nine centuries and 26 fifties in 242 innings.

In List-A cricket, he took 197 wickets in 143 matches at an average of 26.17, with nine four-fers and a five-for. He also scored 1,367 runs in 87 innings at an average of 23.16, including a century and two fifties.

Bahutule played just 12 T20s, taking 10 wickets at an average of 27.00 and scoring 106 runs in eight innings, with a fifty to his name.

He has played for Maharashtra, Mumbai, Vidarbha, Assam and Andhra Pradesh in domestic cricket.

Notably, Team India does not have any spin bowling coach in their set-up as of now. The two-time World Test Championship (WTC) runners-up have asked for Sairaj to take up the role as the Test side aims to make a successful transition from the legendary spin duo of now-retired Ravichandran Ashwin and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is still a vital part of the Test side. In ODIs, besides Jadeja, India has stars like Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, making them a lethal spin bowling team.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting choice. I'm not entirely convinced about someone who only played 2 Tests as a coach for a top team. But his experience with Punjab Kings and domestic teams is decent. Let's see if he can actually help against quality spin attacks like Australia's Lyon or England's Leach.
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Priya S
This is long overdue! We have so many talented spinners - Varun, Kuldeep, Axar - but they need proper guidance. Sairaj Bahutule has coached Kerala and Bengal successfully. Plus, he understands Mumbai cricket. Good move by management. Hope he brings back our spin dominance at home! 🏏
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Vikram M
Yaar, I appreciate the intent but why not go for someone with more international exposure? There are former international spinners like Murali Kartik or even Anil Kumble if he's willing. Sairaj is a good domestic coach but international cricket is a different beast altogether.
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Michael C
Solid appointment. Bahutule's numbers in domestic cricket are phenomenal - 27 five-wicket hauls and 630 wickets. He also scored runs, which means he understands batting conditions. That dual perspective will be valuable for the team's spin attack development.
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Rohit P
Good move by management! With the transition from Ashwin-Jadeja era to new spinners, we need someone who can identify potential and nurture them. Sairaj's experience with PBKS and RR in IPL will also help understand modern T20 bowling strategies. Perfect timing for Australia tour later this year.

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