BCCI Makes History: Three Women Coaches Appointed at CoE

A New Era for Women's Cricket

MUMBAI: In a landmark decision that underscores the evolving landscape of cricket in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed three former India women cricketers as specialist coaches at its Bengaluru Centre of Excellence (CoE). This historic initiative marks the first time that a dedicated team of female coaches has been formed within the prestigious structure of the BCCI, reinforcing the organization's commitment to promoting women's cricket.

The newly appointed coaches are:

• Nooshin Al Khadeer - Bowling Coach
• Sunetra Paranjpe - Batting Coach
• Vellaswamy Ramu Vanitha - Fielding Coach

This trio, who have formerly donned the India jersey, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, ready to shape the future of women's cricket at one of the world's premier cricket academies.

Expertise at Work

Nooshin Al Khadeer is renowned for her exceptional skills as an off-spinner. Over her international career from 2002 to 2012, she took 14 wickets in 5 Women's Tests and claimed 100 wickets in 78 WODIs. Notably, she led the India Under-19 women's teams to glory in both the 2023 and 2025 U-19 Women's T20 World Cups.

Sunetra Paranjpe, an all-rounder with vital experience, played 3 Women's Tests and 28 WODIs. Under her leadership, the Mumbai women's team flourished, clinching domestic T20 titles in consecutive years during her coaching tenure.

Vellaswamy Ramu Vanitha, while a less familiar name among casual fans, has her own impressive history with 6 ODIs and 16 T20Is to her credit, participating in the women's cricket scene from 2014 to 2016.

“It's a good step by the BCCI. It shows how much women's cricket has grown in India and that the BCCI is taking it very seriously,” remarked former captain Diana Edulji.

The Context of the Decision

This appointment is particularly significant as it occurs shortly after the Indian women's cricket team secured its first ever title in the Women's World Cup. Diana Edulji emphasized the implications of this move: “This trio will enable us to build the bench strength of women's cricket in the future, since these coaches are likely to go with India A, the Emerging women's team and India Under-19 tours.”

The BCCI's CoE is also focusing on enhancing its coaching staff across disciplines, having recently brought on board other talented coaches, including:

• Lakshmipathy Balaji - Fast Bowling Coach
• P Krishna Kumar - Fast Bowling Coach
• Yere Goud - Batting Coach
• Dishant Yagnik - Fielding Coach

A Bright Future Ahead

The Indian women's cricket team is currently gearing up for a lengthy tour in England, which includes a historic one-off Women's Test at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. Not only does this tour showcase the growing stature of women's cricket in India, but the looming 2026 Women's T20 World Cup will also be a focus, with India's opening match against Pakistan scheduled for June 14.

This concentration on women's cricket not only enhances the sport's profile but also symbolizes the BCCI's overarching strategy to nurture future talent through experienced coaching. As the landscape of women's cricket continues to evolve, this initiative by the BCCI is a clear indication of its dedication to uplifting the sport.

Building on Further Developments

Beyond the coaching appointments, the BCCI has also chosen Rajesh Dhar from the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association to manage the Indian men's team for an upcoming short series against Afghanistan—a strategic move in prioritizing managerial expertise.

The importance of these developments cannot be understated. They signal a commitment to excellence that may inspire young female cricketers across India, establishing a robust pathway for talent to flourish in the years ahead.