Ganesh Satish Embarks on Coaching Journey with Karnataka U-23 Team
Before becoming a pivotal figure in Vidarbha's cricketing renaissance, transforming the team from underdogs to champions, Ganesh Satish was an essential component of one of Karnataka cricket's most triumphant eras. This period saw the emergence of numerous talents who went on to represent the state with great distinction.
A Bittersweet Departure and Career Evolution
His exit from Karnataka following the 2013-14 season was marked by disappointment, despite his crucial contributions to the Ranji Trophy victory—including a century in the final. However, in retrospect, this move likely played a significant role in shaping him into a more resilient cricketer and a well-rounded individual.
After concluding his distinguished domestic career with a stint at Tripura during the 2023-24 season, the 37-year-old has now transitioned into coaching. On Thursday, at the KSCA Alur Stadium, the former top-order batter will commence a new chapter, making his debut as the coach of the Karnataka U-23 team in the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Trophy.
Stepping into a Mid-Season Challenge
Brought in to replace Somashekar Shiraguppi midway through the season, Ganesh's inaugural assignment will be against Chandigarh. While the former champions currently lead Group D with three matches left, his primary challenge will be to address the team's inconsistency and stabilize their performance.
Reflecting on his return to his home state, Ganesh expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "It feels good to come back to my home state. This is where I started my cricket journey, and I'm excited to be part of the setup again." Although leading the state U-23 side represents his most substantial coaching role to date, the groundwork was established during his playing days.
Natural Progression from Player to Mentor
"In the last two to three years with Vidarbha, while I was still playing, I enjoyed mentoring youngsters in the team. It felt like a natural progression to move to coaching," explained Ganesh, who also captained Vidarbha. "I started coaching at a private academy about a year-and-a-half ago and have also worked in franchise cricket in Karnataka and Vidarbha."
Taking charge of a team in the middle of a season is inherently complex, but Ganesh views it as part of the coaching landscape. "As a former cricketer, I've always followed the team and the scores, so the familiarity was there. What I needed to understand was the individuals—how they are off the field. On the field, I've watched many of them in the Maharaja Trophy and in junior cricket. It was about knowing the person behind the cricketer."
Leveraging Experience and Building Connections
To ease his transition, Ganesh sought advice from former teammates now involved in coaching. "I spoke to KB Pawan, who has coached most of these boys at the U-19 level. Deepak Chougule (assistant coach) has worked with several teams here, and his experience has been invaluable."
His comfort is further enhanced by the strong rapport he shares with the selection panel, particularly chairman Amit Verma and Sunil Raju—both former teammates. Nevertheless, the task ahead is nuanced: preparing players as potential candidates for the Ranji Trophy side while maintaining focus on immediate results.
Fostering a Culture of Growth and Development
"I'm more than happy if a few of these boys graduate to the Ranji Trophy team," said Ganesh, who represented India at the U-19 level. "What we need to build is a culture and a way of playing cricket so that anyone who comes in can slot in seamlessly. We aim to ensure that five or six players consistently make the step up to the senior team."
With an impressive resume that includes 113 first-class matches and 7,084 runs, Ganesh is exceptionally well-positioned to serve as an effective mentor for Karnataka's emerging generation of cricketers. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the game provide a solid foundation for guiding young talents toward success in domestic cricket.
