India women head coach Amol Muzumdar says specialist T20I squad like men’s team coming soonSays “Not Long” at SJAM event in MumbaiPraises CoE U-15, U-19 talent.
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Amol Muzumdar and Smriti Mandhana (Photo: IANS)
India women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar has given a big hint about the future of the women’s T20I teamHe said that India will soon have a separate specialist T20I squad, just like the men’s team.
Muzumdar said this at an event organised by the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM) at MIG Club in Mumbai on Saturday, October 31When asked how soon India can have a specialist T20I team, he gave a short and clear answer – “Not long”.
Indian women’s team has done very well in Tests and ODIs in recent yearsUnder Muzumdar’s coaching, India won their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup in November 2025 in Navi Mumbai by beating South Africa in the final.
But that’s a different story in T20IsIndia were out in the group stages of the 2024 and 2026 T20 World CupsThe team needs to improve its T20 game, and a specialist squad can helpIt will allow selectors to pick players who are perfect for the shortest format.
Muzumdar feels India are already working on this planHe is very impressed with the young talent coming from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE).
“Not longWe’re already on that pathThere’s some amazing talent coming throughThe talent I’ve seen at the CoE (Centre of Excellence), where they hold the India Under-15 and U-19 camps, is terrificThe work at the CoE is superbThe camps are a good reflection of where Indian women’s cricket is at the momentI’m sure it’s in a healthy state,” Muzumdar said.
Muzumdar said the next generation of girls understands modern T20 cricket betterThey have grown up watching T20 cricket and know what is needed to succeedThey are more serious about fitness, nutrition and fielding.
“They are tuned inThey are professionalsEven the U-15 players are professionalsThey understand the nutrition aspect of the gameThey understand the fitness aspect of the gameThey understand fieldingThey’re terrific fieldersThey’re good athletesThey understand that athleticism is key in cricketYou’ll soon find that when the younger generation takes over, India will be in a good state,” he said.
With the first anniversary of the ODI World Cup win coming on November 3, Muzumdar also talked about the team’s next goalHe wants India to not just win trophies but to dominate world cricket for the next two years.
He praised new captain Smriti Mandhana who has taken over from Harmanpreet KaurHe also thanked Harmanpreet for her leadership.
India women are now the holders of the ODI World Cup, Asia Cup and Asian Games goldThe team will next play in the first-ever ICC Women’s T20I Champions Trophy in Mumbai and Vadodara, and then tour South Africa in December for one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is.
