Reports suggest that former Indian and Mumbai ace spinner Sairaj Bahutule has stepped down from his position as bowling coach of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru during the current T20I series against England.
The 51-year-old ex-Mumbai cricketer, who has the rare distinction of having played two Tests and eight ODIs for India in his six-year-long international career, has been the bowling coach at NCA, Bangalore, for the last three years, and has often been seen working in this capacity alongside ex-head coach Rahul Dravid and NCA-head VVS Laxman.
Before the T20 World Cup 2024, Bahutule was the bowling coach for the India National Cricket Team for a short while when there was a temporary space between the delayed appointment of Morne Morkel.
However, Bahutule reconfirmed his stepping down in a subsequent report by the Times of India, thanking the organization for the opportunity, but stating that personal reasons necessitated his exit.
“Yes, I have departed from the COE owing to some personal/family reasons. I am grateful to; Jay Shah former-secretary of BCCI, BCCI, Rahul Dravid (former head of COE), and VVS (present head of COE) for providing me with this opportunity to work with some of India’s best spinners in all formats of the game. I have traveled with the India/India A and India Under-19 teams at least in 20 series/tours.
My three years of tenure at the NCA/COE were very enjoyable, and my services as bowling coach will always remain open for BCCI,” said Bahutule from Bengaluru to TOI.
The former Mumbai slow bowler undertook projects for the development of the grass-roots level, providing his share of ideal feedback and guiding numerous young cricketers at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
