Amol Muzumdar, now the celebrated head coach of the Indian Women's Cricket Team that clinched their maiden ODI World Cup, has opened up about his playing career, specifically addressing the fact that he never had the opportunity to represent India. Muzumdar, who retired from cricket in 2014 after a 21-year career, amassed 11,167 runs in 171 first-class matches at an average of 48.13, including 30 centuries and 60 half-centuries. Despite these impressive statistics, the "elegant right-hander from Mumbai" was never selected to play for India.
In a recent interview, Muzumdar reflected on that phase of his life, saying he has made peace with it. He stated that during his time, there was an abundance of talent, including players like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli. Muzumdar acknowledged the intense competition and expressed that he was "extremely fortunate" to be around such talent. He emphasized that he focused on doing his best and letting everything else follow.
Muzumdar's journey in cricket took a turn towards coaching after his retirement. He initially mentored Mumbai and Rajasthan Royals, and later assumed the role of head coach for the Indian women's team in October 2023. This transition marked a new chapter in his career, where he found fulfillment in guiding and shaping the future of Indian cricket.
Under Muzumdar's guidance, the Indian women's team experienced a remarkable transformation. After a disappointing group stage exit at the T20 World Cup in 2024, Muzumdar worked to rebuild the team's mindset, instilling belief and hunger. He emphasized the importance of recognizing how close they were to winning, stating that they simply needed to rediscover their purpose.
Muzumdar's coaching style involves open communication and instilling confidence. Following a defeat to England, he had some stern words for the team, which captain Harmanpreet Kaur said were delivered "in a good way". The players responded positively, trusting that Muzumdar's message came from the heart. Muzumdar also encouraged the team to visualize success, asking them to imagine lifting the World Cup trophy.
The culmination of Muzumdar's efforts came on November 2nd, when the Indian women's team defeated South Africa by 52 runs to win their first-ever World Cup title. This victory was not just a sporting achievement but also a "watershed moment for Indian cricket", marking the evolution of the game. Muzumdar described the win as an "unbelievable achievement" and credited the team's hard work and belief.
Following the World Cup win, the team met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muzumdar shared a story about how the team had "manifested" this meeting months prior, during a visit to England where only a limited number of people were allowed to meet King Charles. The team vowed that their next group photo would be with PM Modi, holding the World Cup trophy.
Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Muzumdar's role in the World Cup victory, drawing parallels to the movie "Chak De! India". Ashwin emphasized that Muzumdar was the ideal choice as coach, as the team was ready to create history. He also highlighted the significance of good people achieving success, referencing Rahul Dravid's T20 World Cup win in 2024 and Muzumdar's Women's World Cup win in 2025.
