Vinayak Samant Named Chandigarh Head Coach Ahead of Ranji Trophy 2026-27

Former Mumbai wicketkeeper and coach Vinayak Samant has taken charge as the new head coach of Chandigarh for the 2026-27 domestic season. The appointment comes just days before Chandigarh’s Ranji Trophy campaign begins against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium.

Samant, who has spent much of his playing and coaching career around Mumbai cricket, will now find himself in the opposition camp when Chandigarh face his former side in their opening Ranji Trophy fixture.

Vinayak Samant Takes Charge of Chandigarh

Chandigarh approached Samant for the head coach position and he accepted the opportunity, marking his return to coaching a first-class team after his recent stint with Bihar.

The former wicketkeeper brings considerable domestic cricket experience to the Chandigarh setup. He has previously coached Mumbai and has worked with players at several levels of the domestic game.

Samant’s familiarity with Mumbai cricket could prove particularly useful immediately, with Chandigarh scheduled to open their Ranji Trophy campaign against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium.

Chandigarh to Face Mumbai at Wankhede

The timing of Samant’s appointment makes the opening fixture especially interesting.

Chandigarh will play Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, a venue where Samant has spent a significant part of his cricketing life. It will also be Chandigarh’s first appearance at the Wankhede Stadium.

That familiarity could give the new Chandigarh coach valuable insight into the conditions and the opposition. Samant has indicated that his knowledge of Mumbai and its players could help Chandigarh prepare for the opening match.

Chandigarh’s squad had already arrived in Mumbai ahead of the fixture, with the team scheduled to begin its first practice session before the Ranji opener.

Samant’s Playing Career

Samant enjoyed a long first-class career before moving into coaching.

The former stumper represented Mumbai and Tripura and played 101 first-class matches before retiring from professional cricket in 2011. His playing career gave him extensive experience of Indian domestic cricket and Mumbai’s competitive cricket environment.

His career also included a strong association with the Wankhede Stadium, making his knowledge of the venue particularly relevant ahead of Chandigarh’s first match there.

Experience as Mumbai Coach

Samant has previously held the senior Mumbai coaching position. During his earlier coaching career, he was also involved with Mumbai’s age-group cricket.

He guided the Mumbai Under-23 side to the Col CK Nayudu Trophy title in the 2023-24 season, adding another notable achievement to his coaching résumé.

Earlier, Samant had also coached the senior Mumbai team. In 2019, he was retained as Mumbai’s coach after his initial stint with the side. During his first senior-team spell, Mumbai won the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Recent Coaching Experience With Bihar

Before taking up the Chandigarh role, Samant was the head coach of Bihar for the previous two seasons.

His Bihar appointment came ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season. At that time, he was described as a coach with extensive experience across different levels of Indian cricket.

His coaching background also includes work beyond state senior teams. He has worked with the Cricket Club of India and served as a fielding coach at the Assam Cricket Association’s cricket academy during the 2023-24 season.

What Samant Brings to Chandigarh

The appointment gives Chandigarh an experienced domestic coach with knowledge of both player development and senior-level cricket.

His understanding of Mumbai cricket could be particularly valuable for the opening Ranji fixture. However, Chandigarh will need to translate that tactical knowledge into performance when the two teams meet at Wankhede.

For Samant, the assignment represents another opportunity to work with a first-class side and contribute to the development of players in a new domestic environment.

Chandigarh’s Ranji Trophy Challenge

Chandigarh’s first match of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season will be against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium on October 11. The match will immediately put Samant up against one of the teams with which he has strong professional and personal connections.

The new coach’s familiarity with Mumbai could make the fixture an intriguing start to his Chandigarh tenure. At the same time, the Chandigarh players will have to adapt quickly to a new coaching setup and the demands of a challenging away fixture.

Key Takeaways

1. Vinayak Samant has been appointed Chandigarh’s new head coach.
2. He previously coached Bihar for two seasons.
3. Samant has also served as Mumbai’s senior coach.
4. He played 101 first-class matches for Mumbai and Tripura.
5. He guided Mumbai Under-23 to the Col CK Nayudu Trophy title in 2023-24.
6. Chandigarh will face Mumbai in their 2026-27 Ranji Trophy opener at Wankhede Stadium.
7. The match is scheduled to begin on October 11, 2026.
8. Samant’s knowledge of Mumbai cricket could be an important factor in Chandigarh’s preparation for the opening game.