Gautam Gambhir and the Indian cricket team’s senior management have reportedly requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India to appoint former spinner Sairaj Bahutule as the national team’s spin bowling coach. According to sources, discussions regarding the appointment are already underway, and Bahutule is expected to join the Indian setup in the near future as the team strengthens its coaching structure across formats.

Bahutule is currently working as a spin bowling coach with the Punjab Kings, who finished runners-up in the 2025 Indian Premier League season. The former cricketer has built extensive coaching experience over the years through roles with domestic sides, including Kerala and Bengal, while also serving as spin bowling coach for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. His strong background in developing spin talent is believed to have made him a preferred candidate for the Indian team management.

The reported move comes at a significant phase for Indian cricket as the Test side continues its transition following the retirement of legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. While veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja remains a key figure in the squad, India is also increasingly relying on younger spin options across formats, including Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel.

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Bahutule enjoyed an impressive domestic cricket career despite limited appearances for India at the international level. The Mumbai-born spinner represented the country in two Test matches and eight One Day Internationals, taking three wickets in Tests and two in ODIs. However, he became widely respected in domestic cricket for his all-round abilities, combining effective spin bowling with valuable lower-order batting contributions over a long career.

In first-class cricket, Bahutule played 188 matches and claimed 630 wickets at an average of 26, including 27 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket match performances. He also scored more than 6,000 runs in the format, registering nine centuries and 26 half-centuries. In List-A cricket, he took 197 wickets and contributed over 1,300 runs, further highlighting his versatility as a cricketer during his domestic career spanning multiple teams, including Maharashtra, Mumbai, Vidarbha, Assam and Andhra Pradesh.

At present, Team India does not have a designated spin bowling coach within the senior men’s setup, making the potential appointment an important addition ahead of future international assignments. Cricket observers believe Gambhir’s reported push for Bahutule reflects a broader strategy to strengthen India’s spin resources and ensure continuity in one of the team’s traditional strengths. An official announcement from the BCCI regarding the appointment is still awaited.

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