Suman Sharma, a pivotal figure in elevating the Kerala women’s cricket team to prominence on the domestic circuit and subservient in the rise of players like Minnu Mani and Sajana Sajeevan to the Indian national team, has bid farewell to state cricket.
Having served as the head coach of the Kerala women’s team, the former Delhi cricketer has announced her departure from the role. Taking charge of the state women’s team prior to the 2013-14 season, Suman Sharma has been a guiding force for Kerala’s women cricketers, aside from a two-year break, for over a decade.
In reflecting on her departure as the head coach of the Kerala women’s cricket team, Suman Sharma offered emotional insights into her decision-making process and the gratitude she holds for her time with the team. She spoke of her past decisions to prioritize Kerala cricket’s development over other opportunities, highlighting her dedication to the team’s progress.
Suman expressed a sense of closure, indicating that the timing felt right for her to embark on a new chapter. Moreover, she conveyed profound appreciation for the support she received from the players, support staff, and officials of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), emphasizing their integral role in her journey. The Kerala Cricket Association has promptly initiated the search for a successor to Suman by inviting applications from qualified candidates for the position of head coach of the Kerala women’s team through its official website.
She mentioned to Times Of India, “In the previous years, I had rejected offers that came my way and focused on the betterment of Kerala cricket. But I feel now the time is right to move on”
Upon her arrival, Suman transformed a demoralized Kerala women’s team into a more competitive outfit, emphasizing professionalism and improving their confidence. Under her tenure, the team achieved notable victories, including an impressive triumph over Railways during the 2022-23 season, showcasing consistent performances over the past five years.
Suman’s tenure has also witnessed significant milestones, notably the elevation of Minnu Mani and Sajana Sajeevan to the international stage. Both players credit Suman for their success, with Minnu highlighting her role in strengthening the team’s batting unit and providing valuable guidance during international matches.
Acknowledging the void left by Suman’s departure, Minnu emphasized her mentor’s impact on her personal growth as a cricketer, highlighting Suman’s invaluable advice on mental preparation and game strategy. Meanwhile, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has initiated the search for a suitable replacement, inviting applications for the head coach position on their official website.
Minnu Mani was caught off guard when informed about Suman’s leaving as the coach of the Kerala women’s team. Minnu’s reflections on Suman Sharma’s departure from the role of head coach of the Kerala women’s cricket team resonate with a sense of gratitude and admiration. From her current engagement at a national camp in Pune, Minnu expressed surprise at the news of Suman’s decision to step down, highlighting the impact of her departure on the team. She acknowledged Suman’s pivotal role in strengthening the team’s batting unit, attributing much of their success to her coaching.
On a personal level, Minnu emphasizes the significance of Suman’s mentorship, describing her as a trusted confidante and source of guidance during pivotal moments in her cricketing journey. She credited Suman’s invaluable advice on mental preparation for matches, particularly during her debut series in Bangladesh, as instrumental in her growth as a cricketer.
Minnu mentioned, “Her void will be difficult to fill, The biggest contribution of Suman mam has been that she has made our team a strong batting unit. On a personal level, she has been my go-to person. I used to call her before my matches in my debut series in Bangladesh. Her tips on mental preparation before each game at the international level were quite helpful. I will always be grateful to her as I believe she has made me a better cricketer.”
(Quotes sourced from Times of India)