Exposure has been a game-changer: Nooshin Al Khadeer

Bengaluru: After an illustrious international career, during which she claimed 100 ODI wickets, former India off-spinner Nooshin Al Khadeer has seamlessly transitioned into a successful coaching role. She has played a key part in guiding India to two consecutive U-19 World Cup titles.

In a conversation with DH, the Karnataka stalwart shares her insights on the challenges of coaching, the state of women’s cricket in India, and the bright future of the sport.

Excerpts:

To win one title is obviously great, but to win two titles in a row... How does that feel?

It's a great feeling. Obviously, you know, when you're getting the World Championship back home again, that's something everybody dreams of, and I think the girls did a commendable job to defend the championship.

What was different this time from the first time in terms of challenge and the kind of players you had the first time and this time?

See, the first time we had a bit of experience in terms of Richa (Ghosh) and Shafali (Verma). Obviously, this time it was a brand-new team. The faces were very unknown. And for them to really kick off and dominate every game was important. And they have done it quite well. Secondly, I would say that the only challenge the team faced was the weather in the first half of the tournament where we were playing a lot of games in the afternoon with rain affecting the game and for them to hold up that challenge was great. Luckily the tosses went our way (on a few occasions), but even on days when the toss didn't go our way, the girls held their nerve to see us through.

What's the difference you see in upcoming women's cricketers from your time in terms of skills and attitude?

See, the exposure towards the game has become far vaster in terms of Women's Premier League (WPL) coming in. Even in terms of games being telecast... Earlier, I think the only difference was that there were not many games telecast. So, the exposure wasn't that much. But today a young girl is able to watch any game. So, the awareness obviously improves a lot. So, credit goes to the way the exposure has happened through media, which does help a lot of players to adapt to conditions because they're watching it continuously... Watching situations, captains making changes on TV, so I think that was the only difference.

Are they more prepared from a young age? 

See, earlier we didn't have that many games. Now the number of camps is increasing and BCCI and CoE have made a lot of efforts to have these zonal camps, and you know the exposure games we have. Like we had an Asia Cup right before the World Cup. Before that we had a tri-series. So you know the exposure in terms of even game time has increased a lot. The number of matches for women has increased in the last 2-3 years. And you see that the BCCI has made a lot of efforts to ensure that there is a lot of game time, be it the senior team or the under-19s and which is commendable.

What do you have to say about fitness of Indian women cricketers?

I don't think there is a problem. We are on par. I think we are better off. It's just a matter of them getting (an ICC) Cup and I think all these talks (about fitness) are going to shut. For every team it is very important that they need to be complemented. Very soon the senior team is also going to be complemented and I'm sure that the queries are going to be shut.

Do you think India has a system in place now that ensures that young women talents are not lost to Indian cricket?

Yes, yes. I think last year we had a tour of India A. We could see a lot of under-19s being a part of that tour which went to Australia. So, there is a system. So, there is a structure which is set. We have these target camps going on. We have emerging camps going on which are going to happen in the summer. And this is done by the Center of Excellence where the coaches are taking care of the structure. So everything is laid out well.

It's been only two editions so far since WPL has come up. But do you see any tangible difference it has made to women's cricket? 

See, Asha Sobhana Joy was picked (for India Seniors) from WPL as was Sajana. Priya Mishra was picked for India A. There are players who have been picked for India A and I think the future is bright. The exposure is great. I can talk about under-15 girls. There is an NCA camp which happens every year for under-15s as well. And you see these under-15s scoring massively, hitting the ball outside the park, clearing 60-yard boundaries... That's an impact which WPL has brought. They are also fetching big money from WPL franchises.  

Talking of big money, how do you ensure that the fame and new-found richness doesn't get to young cricketer's minds?

For me there are two sides to it. You've spoken about one side of the issue. If you're a professional cricketer, you need to be paid for it. Right? And if I am paid for it, I'm going to work hard for it. So the money is always going to make you work hard. Because you'll always be in the limelight. You wouldn't want the limelight to go away. And that's what is inspiring women's cricket as well. Money is just a part. Remember, every cricketer would want to be known. And if you are known, the money is going to flow. I see it that way.