Sairaj Bahutule expected to join team India as spin-bowling coach

Sairaj Bahutule may become a spin-bowling coach for the Indian team. After the current IPL season, the former India spinner, who is currently associated with Punjab Kings, is likely to leave the team. He is understood to have held discussions with all concerned, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to BCCI sources, Bahutule, 53, who represented India in two Test matches and eight One-Day Internationals from 2001 to 2003, has a strong reputation for his spin-bowling coaching abilities, which is believed to have piqued Gautam Gambhir's interest. The Team India coaching setup includes batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. Gambhir is believed to have suggested Bahutule for the spin-bowling coach position at this time, as there is currently no designated spin-bowling coach. During his time working at the VVS Laxman-led National Cricket Academy/Centre of Excellence, Bahutule has traveled with the senior Indian team on a few occasions. Rahul Dravid, the former head coach of India, had specifically asked Bahutule to be on the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023. During a tour of Sri Lanka, he was also a member of Dravid's support staff. Bahutule is expected to join the Indian team soon, but the time frame will depend on his obligations under his contract with the Punjab Kings. He joined the franchise under head coach Ricky Ponting ahead of the current IPL season. Before joining the PBKS team, Bahutule was associated with Rajasthan Royals under Dravid for a year. In order to play for India, Bahutule may have to leave the team early. However, given that the opportunity involves both the Indian team and the BCCI, the Punjab Kings are unlikely to stand in his way. Bahutule could not immediately be reached for comment. Calls and text messages to him remained unanswered. Cricbuzz also reached out to the management of Punjab Kings.