Unews World
The roar inside the stadium that night wasn’t just for the Indian women’s cricket team lifting the trophy, it was also for the man who quietly stitched their journey together, one innings, one pep talk, one belief at a time. Amol Muzumdar, the calm strategist from Mumbai’s cricketing heartland, had just pulled off what many thought was impossible, guiding the Indian women’s team from a rocky start to World Cup glory.Born in Mumbai in 1974, Amol Muzumdar grew up around Shivaji Park, the same ground that shaped legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli. As a young boy, he shared nets with them under the watchful eyes of coach Ramakant Achrekar. In fact, he was the next batter padded up when Tendulkar and Kambli made that iconic 664-run partnership in a Harris Shield game. Talk about destiny teasing him early!Amol soon became the backbone of Mumbai’s domestic setup. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he scored a staggering 11,167 runs in first-class cricket at an average above 48, the second-highest run tally in Ranji Trophy history. Yet, despite his consistency, India never called him up to the national side.Did that sting? Of course it did. But Muzumdar handled it with grace. He once said, “Cricket gave me everything, except the cap.” Instead of dwelling on what he didn’t get, he used that experience to understand what players need most, belief, guidance, and someone who sees beyond numbers.After retiring in 2014, Muzumdar naturally gravitated toward coaching. His ability to read players and communicate with clarity made him a natural teacher. He began mentoring domestic sides, including Mumbai and Andhra, and later took on roles with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Everywhere he went, players talked about his calmness and precision, he had this rare knack of simplifying even the most complex situations.His big break as a national coach came in 2023, when the BCCI appointed him as the head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team. It raised eyebrows at first, a coach without international playing experience? But Muzumdar’s approach soon silenced critics. He walked into a dressing room full of stars, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, and instead of changing them, he empowered them.
The calm before the storm
The 2025 World Cup started anything but smoothly for India. A few poor batting collapses, dropped catches, and suddenly the team that looked like a favorite seemed lost. But this is where Muzumdar’s character shone.He didn’t rant or make grand speeches. Instead, he told them one thing: “We finish well. That’s who we are.”That shift in mindset changed everything. The team began to play with a mix of composure and confidence, the hallmark of Muzumdar’s Mumbai cricket roots. Smriti’s timing, Harmanpreet’s aggression, Deepti’s precision, it all started clicking again. The dressing room was calm but charged.
The triumph that changed everything
When India beat South Africa in the 2025 final, Muzumdar stood at the sidelines, arms folded, eyes moist. It wasn’t just about the trophy. It was about vindication. For a man who spent 20 years scoring thousands of runs without ever playing for India, this was poetic justice.Under him, India’s women’s team didn’t just win, they believed. And in doing so, Amol Muzumdar finally got what he’d been chasing his entire life: his place in Indian cricket history.
