Sairaj Bahutule, NCA trainers assist Team India in Mohali

Team India’s net session at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on Tuesday, March 1, saw a surprise guest in Sairaj Bahutule. The former India leg-spinner, who was part of the support staff of the India Under-19 team that recently lifted the World Cup in the West Indies, was seen at the venue as the home team players took part in their practice session ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on Friday, March 4.

Along with Bahutule, 49, were National Cricket Academy (NCA) trainer Anant Date and physio Patho. Apurva Desai, a former first-class cricketer from Gujarat and currently a batting coach at the NCA, was also present. Bahutule is also attached to the NCA.

Bahutule seen taking stock of Kuldeep bowling

At the PCA Stadium, Bahutule was particularly seen taking stock of Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling. Bahutule, who hails from Mumbai, played two Tests and eight one-day internationals for India between 1997 and 2003 and has taken five international wickets.

The veteran’s presence added fuel to the speculation that he could have taken up the role of a spin-bowling coach in the backdrop of recent reports about new members joining the Indian team’s support staff. The Indian cricket board has categorically ruled out the possibility as a top-ranked official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that the team was engaging with Bahutule and a few others 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.

The official added that Bahutule and the others will be with the Indian team for a couple of days before returning to the NCA.

The second match of the two-Test series will begin in Bangalore, where the NCA is based, on March 12.