Sairaj Bahutule appointed as India's spin-bowling coach ahead of Afghanistan Test

Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as the spin-bowling coach of the Indian team, just ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan.

The 53-year-old had represented India in two Tests and eight One-day Internationals and enjoyed a distinguished first-class career spanning nearly two decades.

"A former India international and a domestic stalwart, Mr 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," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a press release.

A prolific performer on the domestic circuit, Bahutule had scored 6,176 runs and claimed 630 wickets in first-class cricket, establishing himself as one of the game's finest all-round contributors.

"It's 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," said Bahutule.

Bahutule's 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 Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.

A key contributor to India's player development pathway, he was the bowling coach of India's ICC Under-19 Men's 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.

The one-off Test against Afghanistan begins in Mullanpur on June 6.

(With BCCI Media inputs)