Top News

Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a big step towards strengthening women’s cricket. For the first time, BCCI has appointed expert women coaches for women’s cricket at its Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. Former Indian cricketers Nooshin Al Khadeer, Sunetra Paranjape and Velaswamy Ramu Vanitha have been assigned different responsibilities.

Special coaching setup for women’s cricket for the first time

BCCI’s Center of Excellence, which was earlier known as the National Cricket Academy, will now have a special focus on the development of women players. Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman is the head of cricket of this centre.

Nooshin Al Khadeer has been made the bowling coach, Sunetra Paranjape as the batting coach and Vanita as the fielding coach. This is the first time that an entire specialist team of former Indian women players has been prepared for women’s cricket.

Nooshin Al Khadeer’s amazing experience

Former off-spinner Nooshin Al Khadeer represented the Indian team from 2002 to 2012. He had performed well for India in Test and ODI cricket. His record in coaching has also been excellent. Under his supervision, India’s Under-19 women’s team won the 2023 and 2025 Women’s T20 World Cups.

Sunetra Paranjape left a mark in domestic cricket

Former all-rounder Sunetra Paranjape has played Test and ODI matches for India. She has been the head coach of the Mumbai women’s team for the last three seasons, where the team won two consecutive domestic T20 titles. Before this, she had also spent a successful tenure with Baroda women’s team.

Vanita got the responsibility of fielding

Former batsman Vanita has played ODI and T20 matches for India. Now he has been given the important responsibility of fielding coach in the Center of Excellence. BCCI hopes that his experience will greatly benefit the young players.

Diana Edulji called the decision a big step

Former Indian captain Diana Edulji has praised this decision of BCCI. He said that it is clear that women’s cricket is progressing rapidly in India and the board is very serious about it.

He believed that these appointments will help in strengthening India A, Emerging team and Under-19 women’s teams in future. According to him, this will further improve the bench strength of Indian women’s cricket.

Other appointments also in Center of Excellence

Apart from this, BCCI has appointed former fast bowlers Lakshmipathy Balaji and P Krishna Kumar as fast bowling coaches. At the same time, former Karnataka batsman Yere Gaur has become the batting coach. Former Rajasthan wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik has got the responsibility of fielding coach.

Indian women’s team on England tour

Currently the Indian women’s team is on England tour, which will last for about two months. The biggest attraction of the tour will be the historic one-off Test match to be played between India and England at Lord’s ground. This match will be played from 10 to 13 July.

India will face Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup

The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup will start from June 12. The Indian team will play its first match against Pakistan on June 14. India will also face teams like Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and Netherlands in the group stage.

New responsibility for Afghanistan series

BCCI has appointed Rajesh Dhar of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association as the team manager for the Indian men’s team’s home series against Afghanistan. One Test and three ODI matches will be played in this series.

It is noteworthy that BCCI’s appointment of specialist women coach for women’s cricket is a very positive step. This will provide better guidance to young players and strengthen the bench strength of Indian women’s cricket. The experience of former women players will play an important role in making the Indian women’s team more competitive and successful in the coming years.