New Tamil Nadu U-19 coach Yo Mahesh looks to create pool of pacers

CHENNAI: Newly-appointed Tamil Nadu men’s U-19 team head coach V Yo Mahesh has set his priorities right. While his ultimate objective is to successfully defend the Cooch Behar Trophy, which TN captured after 33 long years, former India ‘A’ and TN fast bowler Yo Mahesh made it clear that he will allot fair weightage to grooming a pool of pacers for the senior side.Fast bowling has been a perennial weakness for TN in the Ranji Trophy, with the pacemen unable to match the standards set by championship-winning teams. But there have been a few good signs recently – a case in point being the fast-tracking of RD Pranav Ragavendra, the young pacer who made his Ranji debut at 16 last season.“It (developing fast bowlers) is one of my priorities. We do not have a good core of pacers and that is the reason why we have not been consistent in Ranji. When I was part of the 2011-12 team that reached the final, we had four-five solid fast bowlers. We need to have about six fast bowlers who are always available for selection,” Yo Mahesh, who had coaching spells at TNPL teams Tiruppur Tamizhans and Dindigul Dragons, told TOI.“We saw Pranav make it to the Ranji team. I am sure that he was selected because of his ability. But having ability is one thing, going there and excelling is another.”Yo Mahesh highlighted the importance of sending these youngsters to the senior team as “finished products” who get going straight away. For instance, Pranav needed time to adapt to the demands of the Ranji Trophy, managing only two wickets in three innings.“It is important to guide the young bowlers on how to excel at that level. I want to set them up for the next three-four years. Once they go to the main team, they should hit the ground running immediately; there should not be a phase where they are only learning for two years,” said Yo Mahesh, a soon-to-be BCCI Level II coach.“TN should consistently have a pool of fast bowlers and for that, the ground work must be done at the U-19 level. I know how important U-19 cricket and the pathway to the top are; only because of U-19 cricket did I get recognised and play at a high level. It is a phase where players can grow,” added Yo Mahesh, presently on IPL commentary duty.Set for his maiden coaching stint with a state side, Yo Mahesh is up for a potentially tough test ahead. “In domestic cricket, U-19 is the best place to start; it will help me get into the thick of things. Taking charge of a title-winning team is a good challenge. The team had set a level of expectation last year and we have to match it this season. By hook or by crook, we have to retain the red-ball title (Cooch Behar Trophy),” said Yo Mahesh.