Amol Muzumdar hints India women could soon have specialist T20I squad

India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar believes the team could soon have a specialist T20I squad, similar to the Indian men’s team. Speaking at an event organised by the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai on Saturday, Muzumdar said the next generation of cricketers is better equipped to meet the demands of the shortest format. Asked how soon that could become a reality, Muzumdar was emphatic: “Not long.”

Muzumdar said India is already on that path. He pointed to the talent at the Centre of Excellence, where India Under-15 and U-19 camps are held, describing the work there as superb and the camps as a good reflection of where Indian women’s cricket stands.

He said the younger generation, having grown up with a better understanding of the physical and technical demands of modern T20 cricket, could accelerate the transition.

Muzumdar added that the next generation is tuned in and professional. He said even Under-15 players understand nutrition, fitness and fielding, and that athleticism is key in cricket. He predicted that when the younger generation takes over, India will be in a good state.

Muzumdar said he looks for receptiveness in a player as much as skill, noting he can read body language on the ground from his years in First-Class cricket. He also stressed respecting the space an athlete wants, saying a coach may have many things to tell a player but the athlete must be in the right mind frame to understand them.

Asked what India needed to carry forward from the World Cup campaign so the triumph was not a one-off, Muzumdar pinpointed unity in the camp and the dressing room atmosphere.

He said that unity made the dressing room light and created a buzz he loves to create. He recalled playing in successful Mumbai teams in the 1990s where the dressing room atmosphere was phenomenal and said he hopes to recreate that environment.

Indian women’s cricket enters a new phase. Muzumdar said the younger generation’s professionalism and understanding of modern T20 demands suggest India will soon be in a good state.

Related on Apex Sports News

• India women target world cricket dominance under Amol Muzumdar

• India’s First Women’s Test: A Historic Match from 50 Years Ago

• India Under-19 Asia Cup squad: Sehwag and Dravid named

Sources

• Times of India

• Sportstar