Former seamer Yo Mahesh will coach Tamil Nadu across formats in 2026-27, while 1983 World-Cup winner Sandeep Patil has accepted a mentorship role with Mumbai.
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) confirmed Mahesh’s promotion on Wednesday after a brief interview process with its Cricket Advisory Committee. “We were looking for a single voice across red- and white-ball cricket,” a committee member said, “and Yo ticked that box straight away.”
Mahesh, 38, succeeds M Senthilnathan and M Venkataramana, who shared duties last season without much joy; Tamil Nadu missed the knockout rounds in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The decision to streamline the post feels logical. One senior player, requesting anonymity, put it bluntly: “Two coaches, two ideas – it got confusing.”
Mahesh’s coaching credentials rest on a tidy stint with the state’s Under-19s. As a player he grabbed 108 first-class wickets at 35.31, added 93 List-A scalps at 24.67 and turned out for Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Those who worked with him at age-group level speak of an organised thinker. “He keeps things simple – that’s huge in domestic cricket,” former team-mate Abhinav Mukund noted.
J Hariesh, fresh from steering Lyca Kovai Kings in the TNPL and serving as Sunrisers Hyderabad’s assistant batting coach, will help Mahesh during the shorter-format blocks. The pair have crossed paths in the TNPL and appear to share a similar philosophy on strike-rotation and fielding intensity.
Mumbai look to history for inspiration
Three time zones west, Mumbai have gone back to one of their favourite sons. Patil, now 69, has agreed to mentor the side he once captained. The brief is broad: skills clinics, tactical input, and the odd reality check for a youthful squad. “When Sandy speaks, you listen,” ex-Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer said. “His presence alone lifts training standards.”
Patil scored more than 9,000 first-class runs, played 29 Tests and 45 ODIs, and later coached both India A and Kenya, the latter reaching the 2003 World Cup semi-final under his watch. His ability to bridge generations should complement Omkar Salvi, retained as head coach for a fourth season after back-to-back IPL titles with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as bowling coach.
Early take
Neither appointment guarantees silverware. Tamil Nadu’s immediate task is to locate a settled top order, while Mumbai still need a reliable new-ball pair on non-helpful pitches. Yet both states have opted for experience wrapped in calm authority – a sensible antidote to last season’s inconsistency.
