Rumeli Dhar joins Baroda Cricket Association as bowling coach of senior Women’s Team

Weeks after announcing her retirement from all formats of cricket, Rumeli Dhar joined the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) as the bowling coach of the senior women’s team on July 13, Wednesday. 38-year-old Rumeli Dhar was a part of the international setup as an all-rounder between 2003 to 2018. She is a BCCI Level 2 certified coach with an experience of four years

Dhar made her international debut in 2003 against England and featured in her final game against Australia in 2018. She was India’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2009 World T20 and was an integral member of the 2005 World Cup squad when India made it to the finals of the global event. Even though India could not lift the coveted cup, Dhar’s performance, to date, is considered to be one of the finest.

For India, she appeared in 100 international games, including four Test matches. She amassed 961 runs at an average of 19.61 in 78 ODIs and 131 runs at an average of 18.71 and an 88.51 strike rate in 18 T20Is. Her performance in the four Test matches, when she scored 236 runs at an average of 29.5, is noteworthy.

“BCA welcomes Ms. Rumeli Dhar on board. Her vast international experience will add great value to Baroda Women’s Cricket. We wish her the very best for her upcoming innings with the BCA and look forward to taking this association further,” BCA CEO Shishir Hattangadi said in a statement.

Rumeli Dhar had expressed her desire to continue her association with the sport

The right-arm seamer had greater success with her bowling, taking 76 wickets in international white-ball cricket. In the domestic setup, Rumeli Dhar has represented several states namely Bengal, Rajasthan, Delhi, Assam, and has also played for the Indian Railways. While announcing her retirement, she had penned down a heartfelt message and had also mentioned continuing her association with the sport in some capacity.

“Each match in this prolonged career taught me a lesson that will help in my second innings. Like all journeys, mine will end as a cricketer today, but I promise to be associated with the sport and help nurture young talents in the country, giving back to the game in every way possible,” she had said.

Rumeli Dhar will join the senior team from this very season and will aim to improve the senior women’s team’s bowling attack as well as find potential young talent for the team.