The Amol Muzumdar story: 11,167 first-class runs, never played for India - now he has made India world champion

Amol Muzumdar, a domestic cricket legend who never played for India, has achieved a poetic full circle. After a stellar 21-year playing career, he now coaches India's women's team to their maiden ODI World Cup triumph, calling it a "watershed moment" for Indian cricket.

India's coach Amol Muzumdar waves the Indian tricolour after the team won the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, early Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) (PTI11_03_2025_000086B)

Life has come full circle for Amol Muzumdar. The Mumbai stalwart is one of the greatest cricketers, who never got to play for India. After years of toiling in domestic cricket and amassing over 11,167 first-class runs without ever donning the India cap, Muzumdar has scripted a poetic twist to his story.

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As a youngster he announced himself as the next big thing, scoring 260 on his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai. Sadly, he played in an era when India’s middle order was packed with icons — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly. In 2014, he retired from first-class cricket, ending an illustrious career that spanned 21 years.

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Eleven years after his retirement, the man who once carried Mumbai’s batting on his shoulders now stands tall as the coach who guided India’s women to their maiden ODI World Cup triumph. Head coach Amol Muzumdar was overcome with emotion as India lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title, describing the triumph as a “watershed moment” that will redefine the future of Indian cricket. “I’m speechless. Absolutely proud. They deserve every bit of this moment,” he said after the match. “The hard work, the belief — they’ve made every Indian proud.” Muzumdar, who took charge of the national side in 2023, praised his team’s resilience and unity throughout the tournament. “We never let early setbacks define us,” he said. “We dominated most matches but just needed to finish better. Once we did that, there was no looking back.” India’s triumph was built on a complete team performance led by 21-year-old Shafali Verma, whose all-round brilliance — a fluent 87 with the bat and two key wickets — set the tone for the night. “One word for Shafali — magical,” Muzumdar said with a smile. “Semi-final, final, packed stadium, all the pressure — she turns up every time. Runs, wickets, catches — she did everything. I couldn’t be prouder.” Muzumdar credited India’s renewed focus on fitness and fielding — a core part of his coaching vision. “That was something we talked about a lot in the dressing room,” he said. “The energy in the field today showed how much they’ve grown. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

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A turning point for women's cricket A personal redemption for Muzumdar An inspiration for future players Only a temporary success

For Muzumdar — long regarded as one of Indian cricket’s most talented players never to play at the highest level — the win carried deep personal meaning. “It’s a watershed moment,” he said softly. “The ripple effects will be felt for generations.”

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