In cricket, the spotlight rarely finds the quiet ones. The spotlight usually belongs to the stars in the middle or the coaches who are lavishing in sound and treats. But sometimes change comes from those who speak softly and lead with calm conviction. Amol Muzumdar, head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team, is one such person.
When Muzumdar took charge in October 2023, the women’s team was looking for direction. The coaching position was one of instability and questions about selection and leadership persisted. His appointment raised eyebrows. After all, he never played for India. For some, that was reason enough to doubt him.
Women’s World Cup semi-final results
But Muzumdar’s career was never about recognition. He has scored over 11,000 runs in over two decades of first-class cricket and has become one of Mumbai’s most consistent and respected batsmen. He learned from some of the best minds in Indian cricket and later applied that experience in coaching roles in the Indian junior teams, South Africa and the Netherlands. He came without fanfare, but with a clear vision: build faith quietly and steadily.
He knew what it was like to work hard without reward. Perhaps that’s why his methods rely more on empathy and understanding than authority.
BUILDING TRUST AND CLARITY
That belief was tested during this World Cup. India suffered defeats against Australia, England and South Africa in the group stage, drawing criticism from all quarters. Analysts questioned his selection and tactics, with many questioning whether a calm, low-key coach could lead the team out of trouble.
However, there was no panic inside the locker room. Muzumdar remained consistent.
“There was no big news,” he said after India’s semi-final win against Australia. “We always thought we had to finish well. We usually start well, but finishing was our area where we needed to improve. Today was the day.”
Before the match, he wrote just one sentence on the board: We need one run more than them to reach the final.
No slogans, no emotions, no theatrics – just focus. The team responded by producing one of their most compact performances, holding their nerve to beat the defending champions and secure a place in the final.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur summed up the dressing room’s confidence in him. “We all believe whatever Sir says because he always speaks from the heart,” she said. “Even though he’s strict, he comes from a good place.
It was a moment that reflected his quiet influence. Without ever representing India as a player, Muzumdar led the national team to the brink of a World Cup title.
THE GHOST OF TED LASA
If Indian cricket has a Ted Las figure, it might be Amol Muzumdar. Like the fictional coach who wins through kindness and faith, he leads with warmth, understanding, and calm assurance. His style is not about talk, but about steady leadership. Players describe its environment as honest, light and clear.
He made bold but thoughtful decisions during this campaign. Supporting young players like Kranti Goud and Shree Charani, both at the start of their international journeys, was brave at a major tournament. But he saw promise where others saw inexperience.
“Kranti has been sensational since its debut,” he said. “She is young but has done wonders at every opportunity. She is learning every day. Renuka Thakur complements her beautifully.”
His confidence in youth has added freshness and energy to the Indian bowling attack. His tactical instinct paid off in the batting department as well. Elevating Jemimah Rodrigues to number three against New Zealand was a decision taken minutes before the match – and it changed the match. “I always felt that Jemi had the nature to shift gears,” he said later. “That one move made a difference.
They value connections as much as strategy. “Harman was calm, smiling the whole way,” he said after the semi-final. “Deepti kept motivating everyone and Smriti was her usual cheerful self. Everyone knows their role and that helps.”
The team responded by playing with composure and determination, even under pressure.
VERIFICATION INTO EXPERIENCE
For Muzumdar, coaching isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about being the clearest. After India’s loss to England at the start of the tournament, he noticed how quickly the group changed gears. “The next practice had more energy and purpose,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not a failure. It’s just a hiccup that teaches you more.”
This ability to move on, to constantly improve, became the team’s greatest strength.
Now, as India prepares to take on South Africa in the final, Muzumdar is one win away from the World Cup title; a remarkable position for someone who has never played for the country he now coaches. His story challenges old assumptions about what it takes to lead a national team. Experience in his case does not come from international caps, but from years of observation, patience and perseverance.
He taught his players to play with confidence, stay calm in the chaos and focus on the next ball rather than the latest mistake. His version of leadership values empathy over ego, clarity over noise.
In a sport that often rewards theatrics, Amol Muzumdar has built something much more lasting – trust.
He may not have represented India as a player, but today his work represents the best that Indian cricket can be: poised, bold and quietly confident. He’s still criticized for his decisions, especially the elimination of Jemima, but in the end all that matters is winning.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
31 October 2025
