S Mahesh TNCA Academy Fast Bowling Coach

S Mahesh, the TN fast bowler from the 1990s, is all set to make his coaching entry into the TNCA. It is likely that he will be appointed as the fast bowling coach of the TNCA Academy if things go to plan. The list of coaches for this year has not yet been announced. The process is for the CAC to recommend to the Apex Council that will then have to approve or otherwise.

Following his Ranji retirement, he played second division cricket while continuing to work at India Pistons, a company that he joined at the turn of the century.

He quit the firm five years ago. After the passing away of VB Chandrasekar, CSK CEO KS Viswanathan roped in Mahesh as the head coach of the VB cricket academy that functioned from the Guru Nanak college. 

Viswanathan spoke very highly of Mahesh's credentials"Mahesh was one of the finest allrounders of that time. Unfortunate that he is not playing in this era as he would have been a great pick in T20. A distinctive quality of his was that he was an excellent team man who any captain would have loved to have."

Mahesh had told this writer in a long conversation in 2020 that he had received very positive feedback from the kids and their parents. In fact, in addition to imparting cricket skills, Mahesh had made a positive impact on the attitude of the young kids and the parents pointed to him a dramatic change in their sons in terms of discipline and eating habits. He changed kids’ attitudes during his time at VBCA. “My son, who had not entered a temple, has now started going to temples and began performing Sandhyavandanam” a parent told Mahesh in 2020.

But his stint at VBCA did not last long and he separated ways prematurely.

It was around that time his senior at Indian Bank in the 1990s and former India U19 cricketer G Shyamsundar called on him to offer an opportunity with his TNCA lower division league team Purasawalkam. It was a God sent opportunity for Mahesh. Shyam has been the biggest influence on him in recent times.

Over the last year, he has been captaining the team and mentoring young players in the team. He has fitted into the team very well much to Shyamsundar’s delight. Shyam told this writer on Sunday at St Bedes ground that Mahesh has been engaging very well with the team's youngsters and had a positive impact with them. "There have been positive developments with him and he will do a good job as a coach." 

Mahesh surprised his young team mate last year by handing a new pair of shoes to a teenaged cricketer after his strong performance in a league match for Purasawalkam.

Despite holding all the credentials having played over 50 first class matches, Mahesh did not focus on coaching after his playing days instead slogging it out at India Pistons in many different departments from Product Casting to Label Printing, from Production Planning to Billing, Inventory Management to even Accounting and making a significant contribution to the manufacturing firm.  He  worked full time there for 15 years.  He was also in charge of the After Market Sales which went up from Rs. 4crores when he took over to around Rs. 15crore when he quit in 2017. 

Legendary leg spinner VV Kumar who was the Chairman of the TN Selection Committee in the 1990s had told this writer that ‘Maggie’ has been one of the very few genuine allrounders in TN’s 8 decades cricket history.

Chairman of Selectors of the India U19 team S Sharath was Mahesh's captain in the late 1990s "He never complained even after bowling over 30overs in a day. He was such a workaholic and a captain's delight" Sharath told this writer in 2020.

Now, finally, Mahesh is set to bag a coveted fast bowling coaching role at the TNCA Academy. This will give him an opportunity to engage with upcoming fast bowlers that is right up his belly. He likes working with young kids and is a great motivator. 

His new ball partner from the 1990s J Gokulakrishnan who has been into coaching for the last 15years including a long engagement with the TN team says that Mahesh was always a fighter on the field and had a never say attitude. “He was a fantastic all-rounder. While I do not know his coaching style, he should make for a good coach with his immense experience and knowledge.” 

In a chat with this writer today, Mahesh, who currently lives in Avadi, said "I pride myself on being a transformer and has always considered being an obedient student of the game. I will do full justice to the role if I get an opportunity though I have not yet heard anything from the TNCA."

Based on the impact he created in the short period at the VB academy, it is likely that Mahesh will be able to provide great insights into the upcoming fast bowlers who have their sights on making it into the state side and higher.

Best Wishes to Mahesh in his first formal coaching engagement with the TNCA.