Sairaj Bahutule named spin coach for Test vs Afghanistan

Former Indian leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as the national team's spin-bowling coach ahead of its one-off Test match against Afghanistan. The five-day contest begins on June 6 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

The 53-year-old Bahutule joins a coaching staff led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, which includes batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach T. Dilip, and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. His appointment fills a role that has been vacant for some time. Bahutule stated that representing India as a player was a matter of immense pride and that the opportunity to contribute again in a coaching capacity is deeply special.

Bahutule’s first assignment will be to work with the spin-bowling unit for the Test against Afghanistan, which includes Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and newcomers Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey. He will also remain with the squad for the subsequent white-ball series against the same opponent.

The former cricketer moves to the national setup from the Punjab Kings, where he served as spin-bowling coach during the 2026 Indian Premier League season. His...