Former India captain Sandeep Patil has officially taken up a mentoring role with Mumbai cricket, bringing decades of experience and leadership back to the state's cricketing setup. The appointment marks a significant step by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) in strengthening its player development pathway and nurturing the next generation of talent.Patil, one of India's most aggressive batters during the 1980s, represented the country in 29 Tests and 45 ODIs, playing a pivotal role in India's historic 1983 World Cup triumph. Following his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and administration, serving as India's head coach in the mid-1990s and later as chairman of the national selection committee.

As mentor, Patil is expected to work closely with Mumbai's senior and junior cricketers, offering technical guidance, sharing insights from his international career, and helping young players cope with the pressures of top-level cricket. His vast experience in identifying and grooming talent is also likely to benefit Mumbai's robust cricket structure, which has historically produced several Indian stars. Mumbai remains India's most successful domestic team, boasting a record 42 Ranji Trophy titles. The association believes Patil's presence will reinforce the winning culture that has long defined Mumbai cricket while ensuring emerging players receive invaluable mentorship from someone who understands the demands of elite cricket. Patil's return to Mumbai cricket is widely seen as a positive move aimed at preserving the city's rich legacy and preparing its next generation of cricketers for success at the national and international levels.

MCA releases squad for President’s XI for Tour of UK 2026

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has unveiled an 18-member squad for the President's XI tour of the United Kingdom, scheduled to take place from June 20 to July 15, 2026. The developmental tour is aimed at providing Mumbai's emerging cricketers with valuable exposure to English conditions through a series of competitive matches against county second XI sides, national county representative teams, and other professional opposition. The touring contingent features several highly-rated youngsters, including Musheer Khan, Abhigyan Kundu, Atharva Ankolekar, Mohit Avasthi, Suved Parkar and Onkar Tarmale. Former India captain and Mumbai stalwart Dilip Vengsarkar is also expected to spend time with the squad during select fixtures, offering guidance and sharing his wealth of experience with the budding cricketers.

The team is slated to play a combination of two-day and one-day matches against sides affiliated with Sussex, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Gloucestershire and Derbyshire. These fixtures are designed to help players adapt to varying conditions, enhance their technical skills and gain a better understanding of overseas cricket. MCA President Ajinkya Naik emphasized that the tour's objective extends beyond winning matches, highlighting its role in broadening players' horizons and preparing them for higher levels of competition. The initiative reflects MCA's continued commitment to investing in the development of young talent and ensuring Mumbai's rich cricketing legacy remains in safe hands.

Full Squad: Musheer Khan, Abhigyan Kundu, Atharva Ankolekar, Mohit Avasthi, Suved Parkar, Onkar Tarmale, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ayush Mhatre, Harsh Tanna, Suryansh Shedge, Siddhesh Lad, Shams Mulani, Royston Dias, Sylvester D'Souza, Himanshu Singh, Eknath Kerkar, Karsh Kothari and Deepak Shetty.