Bahutule, Apurva Desai to assist Indian team in Mohali

Bahutule, Apurva Desai to assist Indian team in Mohali by  Vijay Tagore  •  Published on ShareTweet Bahutule, who is attached to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, has gone to Mohali with NCA trainer Anand Date and physio Patho. © AFP

A surprise member in the Indian team’s net session at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on Tuesday (March 1) was Sairaj Bahutule. The former India spinner, who was part of the support staff of the recent World Cup-winning India Under-19 team, was conspicuous with his presence at the ground as the Indian players went through their practice session ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka. In particular, Bahutule (49), who played two Tests and eight ODIs as a legspinner, was seen taking stock of Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling.

It raised obvious questions with some speculation that he could have joined as a spin bowling coach, the talk coming, more so, in the backdrop of recent reports about new members joining the support staff. However, it has been categorically ruled out by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). A top-ranked official of the board has confirmed the team engaging with Bahutule and a few others but only temporarily.

“Sai has been in Mohali with the Test specialists who had gone there more than a week ago. He has been assisting them in their training while Rahul and others were with the white ball squad,” the BCCI official said. Bahutule, who is attached to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, has gone to Mohali with NCA trainer Anand Date and physio Patho. Also with them has been Apurva Desai, a former first-class cricketer from Gujarat. Desai (46) is a batting coach at the NCA.

“They will be with the side for a couple of more days before going back to the NCA,” the BCCI official further said ruling out any new recruitment for the Indian team. The first of the two-Test series starts in Mohali on March 4. The second Test is in Bangalore from March 12.