Cricket Advisory Committee Recommends Muzumdar
In a significant development in Indian women’s cricket, Amol Muzumdar, the former Mumbai batsman, has been named as the head coach of the India women’s national team. The decision came after a three-member cricket advisory committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conducted interviews with shortlisted candidates for the position. Their unanimous recommendation for Muzumdar to take on the role has been welcomed by cricket enthusiasts and the sporting community alike.
Vacancy Since December 2022
The position of the head coach had been vacant since December 2022 when Ramesh Powar was abruptly removed from his post as part of the BCCI’s “restructuring module.” This move occurred just two months ahead of the T20 World Cup in South Africa. In the interim, Hrishikesh Kanitkar took over as the acting head coach, overseeing the team during various crucial events. These included the home T20I series against Australia in December, the tri-series in South Africa, the T20 World Cup earlier in the year, and the Asian Games, in which India secured the gold medal in September. Nooshin Al Khadeer, a former India bowler, also served as the interim head coach during the white-ball tour of Bangladesh in July.
Amol Muzumdar’s Cricketing Journey
Amol Muzumdar, who has now been entrusted with leading the India women’s national team, brings with him a wealth of cricketing experience. Following his retirement from a successful 21-year first-class career, during which he established himself as one of the highest run-scorers in the Ranji Trophy, Muzumdar transitioned to coaching. He spent 15 years representing Mumbai and later moved to Assam in 2009 before joining Andhra.
His illustrious career included amassing 11,167 runs from 171 first-class matches, which included an impressive tally of 30 centuries. Although he never had the opportunity to represent the Indian national team, Muzumdar’s association with Mumbai was instrumental in securing eight Ranji Trophy titles for the team.
Coaching Credentials
In the post-playing phase of his career, Muzumdar embraced coaching, making a significant impact. He worked with age-group teams at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy and was at the helm for Mumbai. He also contributed to the coaching staff at Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and assisted South Africa during their tour of India in 2019.
With this appointment, Amol Muzumdar is set to bring his expertise and knowledge of the game to guide and mentor the India women’s national cricket team, marking a new chapter in Indian women’s cricket. His extensive experience as a player and coach positions him as a promising choice to lead the team to new heights and achievements in the future.