Sairaj Bahutule joins Team India as spin-bowling coach

Sairaj Bahutule has joined the senior Indian men's team as spin-bowling coach. Bahutule's appointment comes just a few days ahead of India's one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, starting June 6.

Bahutule, 53, held the same position with Punjab Kings (PBKS) during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) edition. The former India leg-spinner played two Tests and eight ODIs for the country, claiming three and two wickets respectively. He made his Test debut against Australia in Chennai in March 2001. Bahutule's last red-ball appearance came against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo in September 2001.

His 50-overs debut also came against the Lankan Lions in Guwahati on December 22, 1997. Bahutule's last ODI game for the Men in Blue was against New Zealand in Cuttack on November 6, 2003.

Bahutule has had coaching stints with the men's teams of Bengal and Kerala. He was also associated with Rajasthan Royals (RR) from 2018 to 2021 before joining the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He was a part of India A's support staff during multiple tours and also rendered his services to the senior men's team during Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach.

Bahutule was a domestic stalwart in his playing days. He finished his playing career with as many as 630 wickets in 188 first-class fixtures and bagged 197 wickets in 143 List A games.

Bahutule will join India's coaching setup that comprises head coach Gautam Gambhir, Morne Morkel (fast bowling coach), Sitanshu Kotak (batting coach), Ryan ten Doeschate (assistant coach) and T Dilip (fielding coach).

India's one-off red-ball game against Afghanistan is their first since a 2-0 loss to South Africa at home in November. Therefore, there will be a lot of eyeballs when Shubman Gill and his men take the field against Afghanistan as there's nothing to gain but plenty to lose.