Who is Sairaj Bahutule? IPL 2026 Coach to join Team India as Bowling Coach

Former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule is set to join the senior men’s national team as spin-bowling coach after the ongoing IPL 2026 season, as per reports.

The 53-year-old, currently with Punjab Kings, has held detailed discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior BCCI officials and is expected to take charge for the next two years.

Bahutule replaces the need for an experienced specialist to guide India’s spinners, especially after the team’s recent home Test struggles. His tenure is likely to begin with the home series against Afghanistan in June.

Who is Sairaj Bahutule?

A Mumbai stalwart, Bahutule played two Tests and eight ODIs for India between 1997 and 2003. In a 22-year first-class career spanning Mumbai, Maharashtra, Assam, Andhra and Vidarbha, he picked up 630 wickets and scored over 6,000 runs, including a memorable 13-wicket haul in the 1997-98 Irani Cup that earned him international recognition.

He played 2 Tests and 8 ODIs for India, picking up 3 and 2 wickets respectively. He also scored 62 runs with the bat across international formats.

Sairaj Bahutule Coaching Career

After retiring in 2013, Bahutule quickly moved into coaching. He served as head coach of Kerala (2014) and Bengal (2015) before becoming spin-bowling coach at Rajasthan Royals (2018-21 and 2025). He joined Punjab Kings in October 2025, replacing Sunil Joshi ahead of IPL 2026.

This development marks the second instance of PBKS losing a spin coach to the national setup during an IPL season. Bahutule’s deep understanding of domestic spin talent and tactical acumen have earned him respect across circles. His appointment is seen as a long-term move to strengthen India’s spin resources ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

BCCI is yet to make an official announcement, but sources indicate the deal is close to being finalised once Bahutule completes his commitments with Punjab Kings.