The world of cricket, especially those devoted to its growth beyond traditional strongholds, has been left reeling by the tragic and senseless murder of Arjun Menon, Cricket Malawi’s Operations Manager, in Blantyre on 11 May 2025. As colleagues, friends, and players struggle to come to terms with the loss, we reflect on a life lived for passion, progress, and people, especially women and girls, for whom Arjun was a tireless champion.
Arjun Menon’s cricket journey began far from Malawi, as a Singapore international player. But anyone who met him knew his sights were always set much farther than individual accolades. His coaching, his mentorship, and, most importantly, his spirit transcended boundaries. In recent years, his work with Cricket Malawi elevated the sport to heights many once thought impossible, most notably for women and girls in the region.
Under Arjun’s stewardship as Operations Manager, Malawi became a symbol of hope not just for budding cricketers but for gender equality in sport. He was instrumental in forging cross-border partnerships, including Malawian participation in Zimbabwe’s domestic competitions, a bold move that gave Malawian women and girls access to higher-level play and mentorship.
His direct involvement with grassroots and elite women’s teams resonated throughout Southern Africa, earning both national and international accolades. Time and again, he brought together young women from villages and cities alike, fostering not just skill but self-belief. Families who once questioned their daughters’ passion for cricket now celebrate their achievements, due in no small part to Arjun’s advocacy.
Colleagues and friends at Zimbabwe Cricket, among many others, describe Arjun as “affable, committed, and deeply knowledgeable.” His office was always open, his words always encouraging. He was a meticulous organiser with a coach’s intuition, always knowing when to push, when to comfort, and when to celebrate a job well done. Behind every trophy, every successful tournament, and every new woman’s league in Malawi, there was Arjun’s steady hand and open heart.
The tragic manner of his passing, taken from us violently and abruptly, has sent waves of shock and sorrow through the cricketing community. His death is not just a personal loss to his family and close friends, but a blow to the hopes of so many young athletes, particularly women, who saw in him a mentor, an advocate, and a friend.
If there is solace to be found in this grief, it is in the living legacy of the women who picked up a bat or ball, inspired by Arjun’s unwavering belief in their potential. The leagues continue, the dreams burn brighter, and his crusade for equality and opportunity endures. As we mourn a remarkable human being, we must also commit to the work he loved so dearly, building a cricketing world where everyone, regardless of gender, has the chance to shine.
From all of us in the cricketing family, especially those fighting for the future of women’s cricket, thank you, Arjun Menon. Rest in peace. Your vision lives on with every girl who dares to dream on the cricket fields of Malawi and beyond.
Loves all things female cricket