Sairaj Bahutule Set to Rejoin Rajasthan Royals as Spin Bowling Coach
Author: Joy Sarcar
Updated At:
Sairaj Bahutule is set to make a comeback to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former India spinner, who was recently associated with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, is expected to take up the role of spin bowling coach for the franchise. With this move, Bahutule will once again be seen in the Royals' dugout from the upcoming IPL season.
Bahutule, 52, had previously served as the spin bowling coach for the Royals between 2018 and 2021 before moving to the NCA, which is now being called the Centre of Excellence. His return to the IPL side marks another significant step in his coaching career, as he reunites with some familiar faces.
Collaboration with Shane Bond and Rahul Dravid
At Rajasthan Royals, Bahutule will work closely with bowling coach Shane Bond, the former New Zealand pacer, and head coach Rahul Dravid. His association with Dravid goes back to his time with the Indian national team when he served as the spin bowling coach during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023. He was also part of Dravid's coaching staff during the Indian team’s tour of Sri Lanka.
Speaking to Cricbuzz on February 7, Bahutule confirmed his impending return to the franchise. "The discussions are ongoing, and I'm close to finalizing my involvement with the franchise. There are still a few details to be worked out, but I'm excited to be realigning with the Royals," he said. "I'm also thrilled to be reuniting with Rahul. He was the one who introduced me to the Indian team during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. I was also part of his coaching staff in Sri Lanka, so I'm looking forward to our reunion."
Strengthening the Royals’ Bowling Unit
As spin bowling coach, Bahutule will be responsible for mentoring the franchise’s bowlers throughout the year. Among the key players in RR’s bowling attack are England pacer Jofra Archer, India’s Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma, Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Sri Lanka's Maheesh Teekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. With such a talented pool of bowlers, the franchise will be looking to fine-tune their spin attack under Bahutule’s guidance.
Rajasthan Royals in the Fray for Trent Rockets?
In another major development, Rajasthan Royals' lead owner Manoj Badale is reportedly interested in acquiring the Trent Rockets franchise in England’s The Hundred tournament. The Nottingham-based team is set to go up for sale on Monday, and Badale is believed to be among the potential bidders. Having already established teams like Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Paarl Royals in SA20, the businessman is keen to expand his presence in global cricket leagues.
With The Hundred gaining traction in the cricketing world, Badale's interest in securing a team makes strategic sense. In addition to him, a couple of other IPL franchises and a private equity firm are expected to join the bidding process. The final decision will be made through an e-auction. As of now, six of the eight teams in The Hundred have been sold, with only two – Southern Brave and Trent Rockets – remaining.
If Badale successfully acquires the Trent Rockets, it would mark another milestone in Rajasthan Royals’ global expansion, further solidifying their influence in international cricket leagues. Given the growing interest in franchise-based cricket, such moves could also impact the betting landscape, with fans seeking the best betting sites for live matches to follow their favorite teams closely.
As the IPL season approaches, all eyes will be on the Rajasthan Royals, both for their performance on the field and their potential expansion into The Hundred. With Bahutule's return and Badale's ambitious plans, RR looks set to make waves in the cricketing world once again.
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