India’s cricket coaching setup received a fresh boost on Tuesday with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointing former India all-rounder Sairaj Bahutule as the spin bowling coach of the senior men’s team.

The appointment marks a significant addition to India’s backroom staff as the team looks to strengthen its spin resources across formats ahead of a packed international calendar.

In a statement, the BCCI said Bahutule brings “a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach” and has earned a strong reputation for nurturing spin-bowling talent across domestic and franchise cricket.

A former India international, Bahutule represented the country in two Tests and eight ODIs. He also enjoyed a prolific first-class career spanning nearly two decades, scoring 6,176 runs and taking 630 wickets, making him one of domestic cricket’s most accomplished all-rounders.

Over the years, Bahutule has emerged as a respected figure in Indian cricket’s coaching ecosystem. His coaching résumé includes stints as head coach of Vidarbha, Kerala, Gujarat and Bengal in domestic cricket. He has also worked with IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings as a spin-bowling coach.

The 52-year-old has been closely associated with India’s player development pathway in recent years. He served as the bowling coach of India’s ICC Under-19 World Cup-winning side in 2022 and was also part of the support staff during the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Bahutule has additionally worked with India A and the senior men’s side on multiple assignments as a specialist bowling coach. Between 2021 and 2024, he was a key member of the coaching setup at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy, now renamed the Centre of Excellence.

“It is a tremendous honour to be appointed as the Spin Bowling Coach of the Indian Men’s Cricket Team,” Bahutule said following the announcement.

“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,” he added.

The appointment comes at a time when India continues to rely heavily on its spin arsenal across conditions, particularly in the longer format, while also preparing the next generation of slow-bowling talent through an evolving transition phase.