'New challenge for an old man' – Sandeep Patil on his mentor role with Mumbai

Sandeep Patil has worn many cricketing hats – player, captain, selector, coach, NCA director and even administrator – but never before in his 50-year association with the game has he been a mentor. When the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) offered him the role of mentor for Mumbai teams, Patil was surprised, excited and delighted.

"It's been 50 years since I played my first Ranji Trophy game for Mumbai. And 50 years later, I never thought I would get this opportunity. I'm excited. I'm delighted," Patil (69) told Cricbuzz. He made his Mumbai debut in 1976.

Patil served as India coach before coaching Kenya, Oman and Madhya Pradesh. He later became NCA director and then chairman of selectors. The new role makes him nervous too.

"I'm nervous. Mumbai has a record 42 Ranji Trophy championships. The coaches, selectors, committee members and MCA are all there. It's a new beginning, a new challenge for an old man," Patil said, thanking MCA president Ajinkya Naik and the Apex Council.

"We are going to have a meeting tomorrow (June 25) with the MCA, where they will define my role. I have to understand the psyche of the players, where they are lacking, where they have fallen short. It's not a one-day job. It's a process."

Mumbai went trophyless last season. The last time they lifted the Ranji Trophy was in the 2023-24 season. "I'll be very happy if my experience comes in handy for the players. My thinking is that my association shouldn't be restricted only to the Ranji players. If I can help younger kids as well, I'll be very happy."

He added: "I'm delighted to be back with my original team. In a way, I will be finishing my career where it all began. But because of Mumbai's reputation, expectations are always extraordinarily high."

Patil is pleased to unite with Dilip Vengsarkar, his former Mumbai and India teammate, who is an MCA advisor. "We started our journey together in school cricket, then university, then Bombay, then India. Having someone like Dilip around is a huge positive."