Gautam Gambhir Approaches PBKS Coaching Stuff To Join India After IPL 2026

Punjab Kings spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule is reportedly set to join Gautam Gambhir’s Team India support staff after the conclusion of IPL 2026.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly initiated talks with former India spinner Sairaj Bahutule regarding a role in the national coaching setup following the ongoing IPL 2026 season.

According to reports from Cricbuzz, Bahutule recently held discussions with Gambhir and senior BCCI officials and is expected to leave his current role with Punjab Kings after the tournament concludes.

The 53-year-old is presently serving as Punjab Kings’ spin-bowling coach and has reportedly impressed several figures within Indian cricket with his coaching methods and technical expertise. Gambhir is believed to be among the strong admirers of Bahutule’s work with spinners.

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Sairaj Bahutule’s Domestic Legacy And Playing Career

Although Bahutule’s international career remained brief, the former leg-spinner enjoyed a remarkable domestic cricket journey spanning multiple teams and formats.

He represented India in two Test matches and eight ODIs between 1997 and 2003. However, it was in domestic cricket where Bahutule established himself as one of the finest all-round performers of his era.

Over the course of his First-Class career, Bahutule represented Maharashtra, Mumbai, Andhra, Assam, Vidarbha, and Surrey. He featured in 188 First-Class matches and picked up 630 wickets at an impressive average of 26, including 27 five-wicket hauls.

Apart from his bowling contributions, Bahutule also made significant runs with the bat, scoring 6,176 runs at an average of 31.83 with nine centuries and 26 half-centuries. In List A cricket, he claimed 197 wickets while also adding 1,367 runs, including one century and two fifties.

Bahutule Already Has Experience In India’s Coaching Setup

This will not be the first time Bahutule has worked with the Indian national team if the appointment gets finalised. He was previously part of Rahul Dravid’s coaching staff during India’s tour of Sri Lanka and the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The former spinner has also worked extensively with the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and has gained valuable coaching experience across domestic cricket. Before joining Punjab Kings under the leadership of Ricky Ponting, Bahutule was associated with Rajasthan Royals.

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He previously coached Kerala in 2014 before moving to Bengal a year later, further strengthening his reputation within India’s coaching circuit.

Following the end of IPL 2026, Team India are scheduled to return to international cricket with a one-off Test against Afghanistan national cricket team from June 6, followed by a three-match ODI series and a T20I tour of Ireland later in the month.