The man who never played for India but coached Women's team to maiden World Cup glory

Amol Muzumdar’s journey is the stuff of legend, though tinged with heartbreak. The Mumbai stalwart scored a staggering 11,167 first-class runs at an average nearing 48, including a record-breaking 260 on debut, surpassing GR Vishwanath’s mark. For 20 long seasons, he was the rock of Mumbai’s batting order, guiding them to eight Ranji Trophy titles. 

Yet, despite consistency, grace, and grit, the India cap never came. He shared dressing rooms with icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly, but his moment on the international stage always remained agonisingly out of reach.

From Domestic Legend to Master Coach

What Muzumdar couldn’t achieve with the bat, he earned through mentorship. After retiring, he threw himself into coaching from age-group cricket at the National Cricket Academy to roles with Rajasthan Royals and even as South Africa’s batting consultant in 2019. His appointment as India Women’s head coach in October 2023 came at a turbulent time the team had gone nearly a year without a permanent coach, marred by whispers of groupism and inconsistency. Muzumdar’s first task was to restore belief. With his trademark calmness and honesty, he united the dressing room, instilled discipline, and built a culture of accountability.

The Turning Point and Triumph

When India suffered three consecutive mid-tournament losses in the 2025 World Cup, Muzumdar’s stern pep talk after a painful defeat to England lit the spark of resurgence. The team rallied, found its rhythm, and powered through the knockouts. As the clock struck midnight at DY Patil Stadium, Harmanpreet Kaur held the winning catch; India were World Champions. Her touching gesture of bowing to Muzumdar captured the emotion of the moment.

A Poetic Conclusion

For a man denied the honour of playing for India, this triumph was redemption. Amol Muzumdar finally got his moment in the sun not with a bat in hand, but as the guiding force behind a team that made history.