Amol Muzumdar: India Women’s coach with 11,000 runs but no international cap
Amol Muzumdar, the mastermind of India’s Women’s ODI World Cup win, never played international cricket despite scoring over 11,000 runs in first-class matches and being one of India’s most consistent domestic performers.
As Harmanpreet Kaur and her team celebrated their historic Women’s ODI World Cup triumph on Sunday, the entire nation joined in their moment of pride and joy. The victory marked a new chapter in Indian women’s cricket.
Stars like Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues received immense praise for their brilliant performances that powered India to its first-ever Women’s World Cup title. Their teamwork and determination shone brightly on the global stage.
However, behind this glorious achievement stood a man who quietly guided them to success — head coach Amol Anil Muzumdar. With tears in his eyes, he watched his team create history, a proud moment that reflected his hard work and belief in their potential.
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Behind India’s Triumph Stood Guiding Force Amol Muzumdar:
Though Amol Muzumdar never got the chance to play international cricket, he remains one of the most respected names in Indian cricket and a legend of the domestic circuit. Growing up in Mumbai’s strong cricketing culture, he studied at Sharadashram Vidyamandir, where he trained under the iconic coach Ramakant Achrekar — the mentor who shaped Sachin Tendulkar’s early career.
Muzumdar spent his formative years sharing the dressing room with a young Sachin and quickly developed a stylish, wristy batting technique built on timing and patience. His performances as a schoolboy already reflected his remarkable talent and promise, marking the beginning of an outstanding domestic career that would later inspire generations of cricketers.
Amol Muzumdar: A Talent Ahead of His Time:
At just 19, Amol Muzumdar made a stunning entry into first-class cricket, scoring an unbeaten 260 on his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai against Haryana in 1993-94 — a record that lasted nearly 25 years.
Over the following two decades, he became the backbone of Mumbai cricket, scoring 11,167 first-class runs at an impressive average of 48.13, including 30 centuries. Known for his composure and consistency at No. 3 or 4, Muzumdar often guided Mumbai out of tough situations.
As captain in the 2006-07 season, Amol Muzumdar guided Mumbai to their 37th Ranji Trophy title, defeating Bengal in a hard-fought final. He later played for Assam and Andhra, extending his career with consistent performances and leadership on and off the field.
Despite his brilliance, an India call-up never came. Competing in the same era as legends like Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, and Ganguly left little space for him. His career remains a classic case of talent limited by timing.
Amol Muzumdar’s Journey as Coach:
After retiring in 2014, Amol Muzumdar transitioned smoothly into coaching, bringing the same passion that defined his playing career. He guided India’s U-19 and U-23 teams, worked as batting coach for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL from 2018 to 2020, and briefly coached South Africa during their 2018 India tour. In 2021, he returned to Mumbai as head coach, shaping young talent.
Amol Muzumdar’s most significant coaching milestone came in October 2023, when the BCCI appointed him as head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team. Taking charge during a rebuilding phase, he introduced discipline, confidence, and a strong tactical approach.
The 2025 World Cup became a true test of his leadership. Despite three early losses in the group stage, India fought back under his guidance, defeating Australia in the semi-final and South Africa in the final to claim the championship.
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