Muzumdar, the head coach, has just declared that a specialist T20I squad is on the horizon for India Women. The announcement came after the team’s disappointing exit from the league stage of both the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups, a result that has left fans longing for a comeback.
The women’s side has been a force in the longer formats, winning four of their last five Tests—an achievement that places them among only four nations to play Test cricket in the women's game—and lifting the ODI World Cup trophy last November, their maiden title. Yet the shorter format continues to be a stumbling block.
Muzumdar highlighted the talent pipeline at the Centre of Excellence, where U‑15 and U‑19 camps churn out ‘terrific’ cricketers. "The work at the CoE is superb," he said, and added that the young players already understand nutrition, fitness and fielding—skills that are essential in the fast‑paced T20 arena.
He also stressed the importance of a player’s willingness to learn, noting that body language tells a coach what a player can absorb. "I try to catch those signals," he said, "and give the right advice at the right time."
Muzumdar reminisced about the unity and buzz in the dressing room during India’s World Cup campaign, comparing it to Mumbai teams of the 1990s that won the Ranji Trophy. "That unity created a buzz that translated on the field," he said.
Looking ahead, the coach expressed excitement about working with new skipper Smriti Mandhana and building a culture of dominance and ruthlessness on the field. "We’re ready to turn our T20 fortunes around," he concluded, setting the stage for a rebuild that will aim for the next World Cup cycle.