Amol Muzumdar had carried his scars of a “what could have been” for far too long. But not anymore though.

One of the domestic doyens of 1990s, Muzumdar was a rare Mumbai stalwart, who missed out on a coveted Test cap due to presence Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly in that Indian line-up.

As a school cricketer, he remained padded forever as Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli recorded a 664 run stand for Sharadashram Vidyamandir in the Harris Shield final.

But Harmanpreet Kaur’s catch to dismiss Nadine de Klerk was that soothing balm must have had its healing effect on that wound that Muzumdar must have been carrying for years.

“After the catch, I don’t know what happened. The next five minutes was blur. I was here only [in the dugout]. I was looking up in the dugout. I was looking up. I didn’t know what [had] happened,” he said during an interaction with a select group of journalists.

He never experienced the highs of an India cricketer but now he is a World Cup winning head coach and we have had only three — Gary Kirsten, Rahul Dravid and now Amol Muzumdar.

Kapil Dev’s ‘Class of 1983’ didn’t have any national coach as the concept was alien back then and MS Dhoni’s ‘Batch of 2007’ had Lalchand Rajput, who was a stop-gap cricket manager.

“It has not sunk in yet but probably as the days go by, it will sink in. But it’s a surreal feeling,” he said when asked about his reaction to winning the tournament.”

What was special about this team was that they had each other’s back.

“Two years have been incredible with this team. They’re all together all the time. We back each other. You’ll see, nobody leaves in anyone’s back and it’s been fantastic to work with such talented group of players,” he said when asked about his two-year stint with the Indian side.

As a player, Muzumdar was an old school ‘Khadoos Mumbaikar’ and when asked if the team’s approach had his footprints, he didn’t deny.

“Whatever inputs I can give, whatever experience I do have, I love to share it always with them. I don’t hold back from sharing certain things, so whether that you may call it an imprint, but it’s just the experience that I share,” he said.

Muzumdar said he urged the team not to read much into their three defeats on the trot.

“I kept telling [the team] that we have not lost the game; we just were not able to just cross the line. We were competitive in those matches, we were very close in beating South Africa, Australia, and England,” he said.

“We just were not able to cross the line, but post that, what grit and determination girls have shown, has just been phenomenal in beating New Zealand in a virtual quarterfinals, then semifinals against Australia and then now again, South Africa in the finals. Unbelievable,” he said.

During the last six weeks, the hardest decision for him as a coach was to drop Jemimah Rodrigues from the England game in Indore to get an extra bowler in all-rounder Amanjot Kaur.

“To be very honest, we were absolutely clear that if we want to have six bowling options at a certain time then we will have to sacrifice one batter,” Muzumdar told the media after India’s win in the final over South Africa.

“We were very clear about that so whoever, whether it was Harleen or whether it was Jemimah, we were clear about it. Six bowling option, one batter misses out — somebody has to make way to some for someone to come in.”

Muzumdar admitted Shafali Verma’s inclusion from outside of the selected group of 15 squad members and six reserves was “a sudden change”, highlighting at the selection headache in form of multiple options.

“Maybe it appears from outside, it’s a sudden change, but we were clear about it and Shafali was a sudden change I would say. Nobody expected Pratika [Rawal] to get injured, but if things happen and that itself tells, if you look at a positive way, it shows that a player as good as Shafali was not finding a place in the [squad of] 15. So there you go, but she came and played a magical game,” he added.

Talking about the legacy, Muzumdar believes that the win will usher a new beginning for women’s cricket in the country.

“It’s a watershed moment in Indian cricket. Not just women’s cricket in Indian cricket. You must have seen, stadium khacha-khach bhara hua tha [the stadium was jam-packed]. I don’t know how many crores of people must have watched on the television,” he said.

“I’m sure from there, some of them must have got inspired. You never know. Like 1983 [India’s maiden World Cup win], it inspired a lot of cricketers in that generation. You never know. I just met a little girl; three or four-years-old, whose inspiration is Harman. She follows Harman wherever she goes, so there you go,” Muzumdar added.

Published – November 04, 2025 03:27 am IST

After suffering a narrow nine-run defeat to Australia in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, India head coach Amol Muzumdar admitted things could have been different for his team if they had held on to couple of chances on the field. At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, India dropped three catches, missed a stumping and a run-out chance as Australia made 151/8, the highest total at this venue in the ongoing tournament. In reply, despite captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 54 off 47, India fell short of chasing the total and ended up at 142/9.

“I think we were right in the game, right till the last over. Just that experience of Australia saw them through. Just a little disappointed with the loss. I feel we’ve fielded pretty well. But if a couple of chances could have been taken, then things could have been different. Maybe 10 -15 runs less, but at the same time, I would like to say that we put in our best effort forward in this game,” said Muzumdar after the match ended.

Asked about the mid-innings chat he had with Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma, who shared a partnership of 63 off 55 balls to keep India in the hunt, Muzumdar revealed, “First and foremost, it was about the run-chase. Second was keeping the net run rate also in bounds.”

“But the only message was if we take it a little deeper, then we do have a good chance to chase. That was the only message to Harman and Deepti. I think Harman’s presence was very important till the end, that is what I felt in the run chase, and almost got it through.”

Australia also had an lbw call of Phoebe Litchfield going in their favour. The left-handed batter tried to reverse sweep off Deepti and was adjudged lbw on five, but she got the on-field call to be reversed on review after the third umpire deemed the ball had pitched outside the line of the leg stump.

Quizzed about his view on that decision, Muzumdar remarked that it was a crucial one. “Well, I don’t know whether I’m qualified to answer about the umpires, but at the same time what I gathered from that non-dismissal is that she didn’t move before the ball was released. So, the leg mark, what was there, it stood as it is. That was my only understanding about it. Whether it was out or not, it was up to the umpires to decide on the third umpire.”

With Australia entering the semi-finals from Group A, it means India’s chances of entering the last four phase are totally dependent on the New Zealand-Pakistan clash on Monday. A win for New Zealand will mean a league-stage exit for India. “Well, I just want to wish Pakistan all the best. That’s all I can say. But we will be watching the game very closely, that’s for sure,” added Muzumdar.

He signed off by revealing Harmanpreet suffered a blow on her head prior before India’s tournament opening game against New Zealand, and had been playing in the tournament with immense pain.

“It’s been fantastic working with this lot; this is a very special lot that we’re working with, and we care about each other, and Harman is a very integral part of this team. It’s been a fantastic 10 months working with her and all others as well. I mean she’s fine. She’s going through a lot of pain.”

“She got hit on her head right at the start of the tournament, just before the New Zealand game, I think one night prior when we were practicing. But she’s fine. I think she’s battling with it, and you can see it, but she’s a workhorse. So, she goes about doing her business. It’s been special working for the last 10 months and I’m looking forward to it going forward.”

As Team India prepare to begin their Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against New Zealand, members of the squad were given a welcome surprise. In a video posted by ‘Team India’ on Instagram, the players were surprised by a special video message from family members on the eve of the tournament’s start. From captain Harmanpreet Kaur to coach Amol Muzumdar, a wholesome message from the family members cheered everyone up. India will be aiming to win the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first-time ever in 2024.

Watch: Team India players receive heartwarming messages from family back home

In the video, the players had all gathered in a room, where a clip from each player’s family was shown to the entire squad. From Smriti Mandhana‘s brother, Harmanpreet Kaur’s parents and Shafali Verma‘s brother to Asha Shobana’s family, Richa Ghosh‘s father and Amol Muzumdar’s daughter, a heartwarming message was given by all.

The players – who are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the tour – could be seen laughing, or sometimes even tearing up, at the sudden wholesome message from their family.

Can India go the distance?

India are yet to win a Women’s T20 World Cup title in the eight editions of the tournament till date, with their best finish being runners-up in 2020. However, with record six-time champions Australia along with twice runners-up New Zealand, Women’s Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka and also Pakistan in their group, India will not find it easy.

However, the slow pitch conditions in the UAE are likely to assist the spin-heavy India squad, which is packed with at least five regular spin bowling options, led by Deepti Sharma. In fact, there are only three seamers in the 15-player squad.

India will also be banking on the experience of Smriti Mandhana and the explosiveness of Shafali Verma at the top of the order, with the two coming into the tournament in good form.

Women’s cricket team head coach Amol Muzumdar with captain Harmanpreet Kaur address the pre-departure press conference ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, in Mumbai, on September 24, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The feeling of near misses has haunted Harmanpreet Kaur for long but the Indian captain feels that her team has ticked all the boxes in its bid to cross the line in the Women’s T20 World Cup beginning in the UAE from October 3.

Since the tournament’s inception in 2009, India have managed to reach the final only once — in 2020 when they lost to nemesis Australia. India have also played Women’s ODI World Cup final in 2017. Harmanpreet has been a part of both teams and led in the 2020 T20 World Cup.

“This is the best team we are going forward with. The players have been playing together for a long time. For us we came so close last time and lost in semis (2023).

“We have ticked all the boxes in terms of preparation compared to the small things were not there maybe in earlier editions,” said Harmanpreet at the pre-departure press conference for the T20 World Cup beginning October 3.

India have not had game time since end of July when they surprisingly finished runners-up to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.

They had an extensive preparatory camp at the NCA where the players spent a lot of time on fitness and fielding, areas where the team has been found wanting in the past.

The conference was also attended by head coach Muzumdar and chief selector Neetu David also made a rare appearance.

“During the Asia Cup, we played good cricket, one odd day things did not go to plan,” said Harmanpreet, who has been part of all the T20 World Cup that have been staged till date.

She has played so many global events in a career spanning close to decade and half but feels that she is as excited as her maiden World championship.

“I know I have played so many World Cups but I have the same excitement as I had when I was 19,” the 35-year-old skipper said.

The main challenge will come from England and Australia, who have found a way to beat India in ICC events even from difficult situations.

“We can beat any team and Australia know that very well. They know if there is one team that can beat them it is us,” said Harmanpreet.

Focussed on enhancing athletic ability in training camp

Head coach Muzumdar shed more light on the team’s focus areas during the training camp in Bengaluru.

“We did identify a few things (after the loss to Sri Lanka) and we went about in the subsequent camp. We first had a fitness and fielding camp. Then we had a 10 day skills only camp. We brought in a sports psychologist also (Mughda Bawre). She has been fantastic with the group.

“We focused on enhancing athletic ability, all-round fielding abilities, there were yoga sessions and psychological sessions were added.” On lack of game time, he said: “We are prepared for everything. In the skills camp, we had nets and five games in 10 days time. We have ticked all the boxes as far as preparation is concerned,” said Muzumdar.

He also displayed supreme confidence in the batting department, which doesn’t have the firepower possessed by the likes of Australia and England.

“Our top six are the best. Their styles and mannerisms are different. Number three we have identified but we will reveal that when eleven is announced. In T20s, number three sets game the up, in any form actually, “As far as the conditions are concerned, it will be similar to India. Start of the season they could be extra bounce especially in Dubai but climate will be just like India.” The event was shifted to the UAE from Bangladesh due unrest in the South Asian nation.

Chief selector David added: “We have done what is the best for the team. The bench strength is also looking good. Shadow tours (India A tours) are also helping on that front,” she said.

For the record, India A women performed disastrously in Australia.

Dambulla:

Indian women’s cricket team head coach Amol Muzumdar said the side didn’t play up to their potential in the Women’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka and lost the record-extending eighth continental title in Dambulla on Sunday. Indian bowlers failed to defend the 166 target against the hosts as Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (61) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (69*) slammed half-centuries to take the side over the line with eight balls to spare. Kavisha Dilhari remained unbeaten on 30 off 16 balls including two sixes and a four.

Indian bowlers, especially Radha Yadav, leaked too many runs without picking up a wicket. Deepti Sharma was the only Indian bowler to take a wicket in her four overs.

Muzumdar admitted that the team failed to execute their plans right and missed opportunities in the fielding.

“Well actually, to be very honest, in one odd game we didn’t play well; we didn’t execute whatever we hoped for. But that’s about it. We’ve been dominating right through the last series against South Africa and this tournament also. So I think in one odd game we didn’t play to the potential, but credit needs to go where it’s supposed to go, and I think Sri Lanka batted really well. I think 165 was a really good total, but I think Sri Lanka batted really well. They got off to a flyer, and we couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities that we had. But at the same time, credit needs to go to Sri Lanka for batting really well,” he said while speaking exclusively to Star Sports.

“I think in all three departments we have shown some great character. Our batting has been good for the last two months; we’ve seen that the batting has been really good. The bowlers have done their job; the bowlers have been fantastic in the tournament, and also against South Africa, the bowlers did wonders over there. And progressively we are going ahead in our fielding department also. We made a few blunders today, but I’m sure we are on the right track as far as fielding is concerned,” Muzumdar added.

Speaking on the no. 3 position in the batting line-up, he said, “No, not really. We’ve tried a couple of players, but at the same time, we have the depth in our batting. So I don’t think there is a trouble area as such, but we have to address that, and we are in the process of doing so.”

When asked about the home crowd that came up in numbers to support the home team in their quest for the maiden Asia Cup title, Muzumdar said, “We were not affected by it. They have all played in WPL, they have all played in a series where it’s a full house, maybe even more than this, the crowd. So it didn’t affect them. But having said that, it was nice to see the spectators turning up for the finals, and I’m sure they had a good time here.”

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