Indian Women's Cricket Team May Appoint First-Ever Foreign Strength and Conditioning Coach

The Indian women's cricket team is reportedly set to hire a foreign strength and conditioning (S&C) coach for the first time in its history. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance the team's fitness and performance levels, bringing them on par with top international teams like Australia and England.The decision comes in the wake of recommendations from both current and former players who have highlighted the need for more specialized and advanced fitness coaching. For an extended period, the head coach of the women's team has also been responsible for overseeing strength and conditioning, a practice that is now seen as outdated in modern cricket.While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to make an official announcement, it is understood that the process of identifying a suitable candidate is underway. The new S&C coach will be a part of the support staff under the guidance of the head coach, who is expected to be appointed soon. The previous head coach, Amol Muzumdar, had his contract expire after the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.The introduction of a dedicated and experienced foreign S&C coach is seen as a crucial step in improving the team's agility, endurance, and overall athletic ability on the field. This specialized focus is expected to help prevent injuries and ensure the players are in peak physical condition for demanding international schedules, including upcoming tours and major tournaments. This development signals a significant investment by the BCCI in the professionalization of the women's cricket setup in India.