"We Want To Dominate World Cricket": Amol Muzumdar's Big Vision For India

Head coach Amol Muzumdar on Saturday said the Indian women's cricket team should be able to consistently dominate white-ball cricket within the next two years, considering the wealth of talent emerging from the age-group system. India won the 50-over World Cup at home last November, but they are yet to win a major T20I tournament. However, Muzumdar and new captain Smriti Mandhana will have an opportunity to change that during the inaugural six-team ICC Women's T20 Champions Trophy in Mumbai and Vadodara.

"Two years down the line, if they start dominating world cricket... dominance is something that we have always spoken about within the squad. Being ruthless on the ground is another thing that we have always maintained," Muzumdar said during an event organised by the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM).

"Obviously, from the background where I come from, my growth in Mumbai cricket was kind of similar. I try to inculcate those things, or give them back. If we start dominating world cricket, I would be happy," he said while answering a question about where he sees the women's team in two years.

Muzumdar expressed confidence that India will become a team to beat in the shortest format because age-group cricketers are now more accustomed to the demands of T20 cricket.

"We're already on that path. Some amazing talents are coming through," Muzumdar said.

"The talent that I've seen at the (BCCI) Centre of Excellence, where they hold the U-15, U-19 and India A camps, is outstanding. The work happening at the Centre of Excellence is superb. These camps are a good reflection of where Indian women's cricket stands at the moment.

"There are some terrific players coming through. You'll be surprised how quickly they catch up. We took a long time to adjust to certain demands, but they are already tuned in. They are professionals," he added.

Muzumdar said he was impressed by the all-round awareness of young players regarding the various demands of modern-day cricket.

"Even at the U-15 level, the athletes are professionals. They understand nutrition, fitness and athleticism. They're terrific fielders and very good athletes. They understand that athleticism is key in cricket.

"When this younger generation takes over, you'll find that Indian cricket is in a very good place," he said.

The former Mumbai batter said his three-point coaching philosophy mirrors the lessons he learned from renowned coach Ramakant Achrekar, who mentored the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli.

"We play to win. There is no second thought about that, and it comes from where I grew up. There is no substitute for winning. In my mind, I was always clear that winning is everything," he said.

"And how do we go about it? That's another question. One non-negotiable is discipline, and that remains unchanged. In the dressing room, there is a cricketing ethic that everyone follows. We try to instil those values during training sessions.

"Another non-negotiable is the intensity with which we practise, and that again stems from where I grew up. The intensity with which we train can then be carried into match situations," he added.

Muzumdar identified dressing-room unity and atmosphere as the two key factors behind India's maiden ODI World Cup triumph last year.

"The unity in the camp and the dressing-room atmosphere were crucial. Because of that unity, the atmosphere was very relaxed. There was a buzz around the dressing room, and that's something I love to create," he said.

"I have played in teams where, whenever we performed well, especially in the 1990s, the dressing-room atmosphere was phenomenal.

"There was a buzz that translated into the kind of cricket we produced on the field. If I had to pinpoint one reason, it would be the unity within the camp and the positive energy in the dressing room," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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