Watch: Proud women neighbours raise bats, welcome coach Amol Mazumdar

The celebrations in Vile Parle were unlike anything the neighbourhood had seen in years. India’s Women’s World Cup-winning coach, Amol Muzumdar, returned home as a champion, and his community made sure he felt every bit of the pride they held for him. Rose petals were showered, drums echoed through the housing lanes, and cheers filled the air as families gathered to welcome one of theie own back home. Women from the society formed a bat-raised guard of honour at the entrance, smiling through joyful tears as he walked in.

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For them, this was not just about a World Cup. It was about a man from their very own streets helping India make history. It was personal.

Yet, even amid the celebration, Muzumdar carried himself with the same calm and grounded demeanour that he is known for. When he finally addressed the crowd, his voice was full of gratitude, yet his message looked beyond the moment.

“Sports is the way forward,” he said, pausing as the cheers softened. “Let’s become not just a cricketing nation, but a sports-loving nation.”

It was a reminder that while this victory belongs to Indian cricket, the dream is bigger — to build a country where success in every sport is celebrated, supported and nurtured.

His life’s journey has reflected that belief. Muzumdar has worn many roles, be it a prolific domestic batter in his playing days, a respected voice behind the mic as a commentator, a mentor with an IPL franchise, a batting coach with international assignments in South Africa and the Netherlands, and now the coach who guided India’s women to their first major trophy. Through it all, he has remained deeply connected to the grassroots, to community and to the belief that sport can shape character as much as careers.

On Tueday, as he stepped through the society gates, surrounded by music, applause and the people who watched him grow, the moment felt larger than celebration. It felt like a full circle moment — a neighbourhood boy returning home, carrying with him the pride of a nation.

And as the crowd chanted, the message felt clear: this victory belongs to all the women in the country.

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