BCA picks Anju as coach of senior women’s team

Vadodara: The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has roped in former India cricketer and Arjuna-awardee, Anju Jain, for coaching its senior women’s cricket team.
The decision was taken by the apex council on Tuesday that also hired ex-India cricketer Devieka Palshikar as an assistant coach. BCA officials said that Jain has been informed about her appointment. “I will be joining the Baroda women’s team as soon as I get guidelines from the BCA,” Jain told TOI.
When asked about her priority as a coach, Jain said that she wanted to bring back confidence among the players and create an atmosphere of trust so that they could play freely. Jain also said that she had worked with a few Baroda women cricketers in the past and it will help her bond well with the team.
Jain, a wicketkeeper, played for India for 12 years and had also captained the squad during Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2000. She retired in 2005 and went on to become the selector for Indian women’s team before taking up coaching.
Jain assumed the role of Indian women team’s coach between 2011 and 2013. She then joined as the head coach of Bangladesh women’s team in 2018 and helped the team beat India in Asia Cup finals. A BCA official said that Jain’s experience will help Baroda women’s team in improving its performance.
Her appointment was done after BCA decided to discontinue the services of former India cricketer Atul Bedade as its women’s team coach. Bedade was suspended after a woman cricketer’s father complained against him for harassment earlier this year.
But his suspension was withdrawn on Tuesday as the complainant decided not to pursue with his complaint.