Former India Women’s team captain Jhulan Goswami has been entrusted with the dual role of team mentor and bowling coach by Mumbai Indians for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season.

Mumbai Indians, the most successful men’s IPL side, recently bought the Mumbai franchise in the WPL for Rs 912.99 crore.

Besides Jhulan, Charlotte Edwards, former England Women’s team captain and the second-highest run-getter in women’s ODIs and Tests, has been appointed head coach of the franchise for the inaugural edition scheduled in March.

Former India all-rounder Devieka Palshikaar will be the batting coach, while Trupti Chandgadkar Bhattacharya will be the team manager.

Jhulan, a Padma Shri who retired last year after the series against England, has more than 350 international wickets in a career spanning more than two decades.

She is the highest wicket-taker in Women’s ODIs and also has the distinction of taking the maximum wickets in history of Women’s ODI World Cup. Jhulan rose to No. 1 in the ICC Women’s ODI bowling rankings in January 2016 and post-retirement, she is mentoring the Bengal Women’s team.

Edwards too had a cricketing career spanning two decades and she led the England side to ODI and T20I World Cup title triumphs. Post-retirement, the 43-year-old has been coaching teams in England and Australia and is an ICC ‘Hall of Famer’.

Devieka, a f o r m e r right-handed batter and leg-spinner, was the assistant coach of India Women between 2014 and 2016. She was also associated with the Bangladesh team as an assistant coach, winning the 2018 Asian Cup with them.

Gujarat Giants also made key appointments for their WPL side a few days ago.

The Gautam Adani-owned franchise announced multiple-time World Cup winner Australian opener Rachel Haynes as the head coach, while Nooshin Al Khadeer, who guided the India Women’s team to U-19 World Cup triumph, will be the bowling coach.

Haynes, who has played at the highest level for more than a decade, has won six world titles with the Australian team. She was also a part of the Australia Women’s team that won the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand.

They also roped in former India captain Mithali Raj as mentor and advisor. Former senior women’s team coach Tushar Arothe will be the team’s batting coach and Gavan Twining will look after fielding department.

Written with inputs from PTI