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Sairaj Bahutule might be stepping into the role of spin-bowling coach for the Indian team. The former Indian spinner, who is currently with the Punjab Kings, is anticipated to part ways with the franchise after the ongoing IPL season wraps up. It seems he’s already had talks with key figures, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

According to sources within the BCCI, Bahutule, who played two Tests and eight ODIs for India between 2001 and 2003, has built a solid reputation for his coaching skills in spin-bowling. This expertise has reportedly caught the eye of Gambhir.

The current coaching lineup for Team India features batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach T Dilip, and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. At the moment, there isn’t a designated spin-bowling coach, and Gambhir is believed to have put Bahutule’s name forward for the position. 

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Bahutule has traveled with the senior Indian team a few times in the past during his time with the National Cricket Academy/Centre of Excellence, which is led by VVS Laxman. Former head coach Rahul Dravid had specifically asked for Bahutule to join the Indian team during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and also included him in the support staff during a tour of Sri Lanka. 

It’s expected that Bahutule will be integrated into the Indian team setup soon, although the exact timing will hinge on his commitments with Punjab Kings. He joined the franchise under head coach Ricky Ponting at the start of the current IPL season. Prior to his time with PBKS, Bahutule spent a year with the Rajasthan Royals under Dravid. 

He may need to shorten his time with Punjab Kings to take on the role with India. However, it’s unlikely that Punjab Kings will stand in his way, especially since this opportunity involves the national team and the BCCI. Bahutule was not immediately available for comment, as calls and texts to him went unanswered. Cricbuzz also reached out to the management of Punjab Kings for further information.