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Key Points

Amita Sharma, a former seam-bowling all-rounder, has been appointed as the new chairperson of India's women's national selection committee. With extensive cricket experience, she brings a unique perspective focused on nurturing young talent beyond traditional statistical evaluations. Her appointment comes after a successful stint leading the Delhi women's selection committee, where she helped multiple players reach the national team. Sharma is particularly excited about serving the Indian cricket team and hopes to contribute to the team's growth and success.

Key Points: Amita Sharma's Pride Serving Indian Women's Cricket Team

  • First female cricket selector with extensive playing experience
  • Committed to identifying raw talent beyond statistical metrics
  • Transitioning from Delhi women's selection committee to national panel
  • Optimistic about Indian women's team performance in upcoming World Cup
3 min read

Chance of serving Indian team again very proud moment for me, says new women's chief selector Amita

Former cricketer Amita Sharma becomes chief selector, bringing unique talent-focused approach to national women's cricket panel

"The chance of serving the Indian team again is a very proud moment for me - Amita Sharma"

New Delhi, Sep 28

Newly appointed India women's team chief selector Amita Sharma said the chance of serving the national side once again is a 'very proud moment' for her. On Sunday, Amita, the seam-bowling all-rounder who played for India in 116 ODIs, five Tests and 41 T20Is, was appointed as the chairperson of the women's national selection committee during the BCCI's 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai.

She will now succeed Neetu David in the top job, with her tenure scheduled to begin after the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup is over. Amita will also be joined by Sulakshana Naik, Jaya Sharma and Sravanthi Naidu in the five-member panel alongside Shyama Dey Shaw.

"Right now, with phone calls coming in from all quarters, it's a little bit tiring. So I will see what happens next. But the main thing is that, the chance of serving the Indian team again is a very proud moment for me. I just feel so good to be attached with the Indian team in some capacity," said Amita in an exclusive conversation with IANS.

Amita comes into the national panel on the back of being the chairperson of the senior women's selection committee in Delhi, where the side managed to consistently be in knockouts stages of various competitions and even won the U23 Women's T20 Trophy in the previous season. During her tenure in Delhi, players like Priya Mishra and Pratika Rawal (before switching to Railways) made their way to the Indian team.

"I just feel that more importance needs to be given to talent and less towards the numbers side of things. If a kid is good, talented and going to be a very useful player in future, then an extra chance has to be given. So this is something I try to do. Obviously, the player who makes runs does get selected, but what I always strive to do is doing things a little differently as compared to others," she said about her style of selecting teams.

Amita also believes her stint as Delhi senior women's selection committee chair will be of immense help while being in the national panel. "It is absolutely going to come of great help as the selection process will be in the same manner. It's just that these things are now going to be done at a larger scale and I will have to make some changes to the style of selection I have. But for sure that experience of being in the same role in Delhi will help here."

She signed off by being optimistic about Indian team's performance in the upcoming World Cup, when they begin their campaign against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday. "My message for the Indian team is that, the way you are playing your cricket right now, just continue to play in that fashion. I will also be praying to God that the team does well and with all the positive vibes coming from them, I am sure they are going to do well in the competition."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great to see former players getting these important roles. Amita's track record with Delhi shows she can spot talent - remember how players like Priya Mishra came through under her watch. Best wishes for her new role!
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Sarah B
While I appreciate her experience, I hope she brings fresh thinking to the selection process. Sometimes former players tend to stick to traditional methods. Women's cricket needs innovation and bold selections.
A
Arjun K
Her emphasis on giving chances to talented youngsters rather than just going by numbers is refreshing! This is how we'll build a strong bench strength for Indian women's cricket. All the best to her! 🙌
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Nisha Z
So proud to see women cricketers taking up leadership roles in administration. Amita's journey from player to selector is inspiring for young girls across India who want to make cricket their career.
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Michael C
Interesting to see how her Delhi experience translates to the national level. The fact that she's already thinking about scaling up her selection approach shows she's prepared for this bigger responsibility.

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