‘Trisha G has set a benchmark, role clarity helped India win U-19 women’s world cup’: Coach Nooshin Al Khadeer | Cricket News

India won the Under-19 women’s world cup in Malaysia, their second consecutive title in an unbeaten campaign. The coach Nooshin Al Khadeer, who was at the helm for the last two world cups, details the lengthy preparation, and the vital juncture against England in the semi-finals and on stars like Trisha and Vaishnavi in an interview with The Indian Express. Excerpts:What was the role of the National Cricket Academy in preparation for the world cup?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: It was a program that started off 8 months back, when the Cricket of Excellence – it was the NCA but now called the COE. The initiative was taken to have Zonal Academies, and camps there. At Balsad, Ranchi, Nagpur, and Dehradun. We then played zonal matches with five teams at Rajkot. Then 25 girls were picked for the high-performance camp at Dharamshala in July.
Story continues below this ad

Then on, those players were monitored for their daily routines, practice, fitness level. Coaches were involved everyday. Then they went to their respective states. 20 girls were picked for the tri-series Challengers in October, soon after their domestic cricket. Another camp was held in mid November at the COE. Two teams were picked for the tri-series which happened in Pune, in which we played India A, India B, and again South Africa. Only after that the Asia Cup squad was selected and then the world cup. So that was the long process.
When did the preparation start, the drills for slow-and-sticky conditions in Malaysia and target-setting you had done in the camp?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: The camp started from April 19th itself. We had a lot of role clarity in terms of which batter is going to play where and asked to practice for over a period of time, be it batters or bowlers. In the high performance camp in July, all the 25 players knew exactly what their roles were. Luckily, the state units have been great, they have given them an opportunity at that particular positioning, and that’s how it has been built.
The Asia Cup happening in Malaysia also helped the girls to adapt to the conditions, because we played at the same venue, where the World Cup was, so that was like a game changer. In Pune we had grey soil, when we played South Africa, and in Malaysia we had the red soil. In the World Cup, we happened to get both the soils to play on, so the players were aware of the conditions, and they adapted it quite well. Story continues below this ad
So, the state associations also gave the same roles, like what, the same batting numbers?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: Mostly. At least the players knew exactly what the roles were. Trisha opened there. Avika and Ishwari opened for Maharashtra, which was great, because if you are able to handle the swing of the new ball, then it’s all the more easier for you as a middle-order batter to contribute.
Against England in the semi-final, the first few overs with the ball didn’t go your way, like, and then how did you correct it at the time?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: England was unknown devils for us as they were in a different group. Semi-finals nerves, initially, we did not execute the plans. We gave them too much room. But during that strategic time, we discussed what exactly we could do, and the comeback was great then. You know, every bowler contributed. Story continues below this ad
But I would give a high rate on the mental agility of the players. You know, when a team is on 70 runs in the first 10 overs, and to pack them for 113, just giving 50 runs in the next 10 overs, where they had 8 wickets in hand – and we got 6 wickets of theirs. It just shows the kind of character these girls had. England itself in their group stages have not batted first, for us to know their batting order. They had always fielded first.
I remember when I walked into the strategic time, the only thing we discussed was, can we restrict them to 50 runs, and keep it simple bowling on the stumps, not giving them room. But, you know, it’s always tough that, you know, it’s easier said than done. Their plus point was the calmness they had on the ground. Nobody was worked up. Everybody was in a good head space. They knew that the next 10 overs is what they wanted to do, and how they could do it, because they have been going through this. Like I said, in Pune, we played on grey soil, so they exactly knew how the comebacks are done on that soil. So it has worked out for us in the team.
India did dominate all the sides through the tournament. But just ahead of the start of the tournament, which was the side you were a bit wary of?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: No, I don’t think we ever had that kind of discussion in the dressing room. That this team is going to be tough. Or even among the staff, we never had that discussion. We were just sticking to our plans. We knew what our strengths are and how we need to get things to work on our end. We knew that we were prepared, well prepared for this tournament. And we backed our instincts.Story continues below this ad
Throughout the tournament, the lower order or even the middle order didn’t get much of the batting. The top order did most of the scoring, was there a worry?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: To just counter this question, Nikki Prasad hardly got to bat in the World Cup. That’s about a month, right? In game time. And you saw in the first game what she did for DC. She won that game for them. Okay. And that has always come because we’ve given enough practice and enough time in our preparation. The team was always there for practice. We knew that our middle order had not got enough to bat. But the same unit had gone the next day practising as if what if we were doing it.
What did you do specifically in training to replicate those match situations?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: There was no off session because we were winning games. We always had practice. Story continues below this ad
We were lucky Malaysia had a lot of resources as net bowlers. Plus our bowling unit. There were times where the net sessions were extended to one and a half hours where the batters had enough time to bat. So that they are game ready.
You have worked with Trisha G, in 2023 and 2025. So, what change have you seen in her mindset and skills?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: I think she has developed a few shots, worked on her on-side really well. She was always known for the one who hits over covers or straight through the ground. But something to play on the on-side fearlessly. And her back foot shots she has worked on. So, her pull, her cuts have got a little better.
Her mindset was to score at a very healthy strike rate. I think Asia Cup gave her a lot of confidence when got the runs and won the Women of the Tournament. And then to get even better in the World Cup. Getting a century under your belt in a World Cup, the first one is always special. And she deserved it for the reason is that she has evolved her game as a cricketer.Story continues below this ad
Where do you see her ceiling? As of now, she doesn’t have a WPL contract. But how far do you think she can get?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: We judge a lot on one performance. I think we should just allow the player to grow. She has set a benchmark. She has made an announcement that there is a Trisha G. And I don’t think WPLs or these bigger leagues are a reward for what she has done to get the cup for us. If it is meant, it will come her way. But I would always prefer Trisha G going out there and winning a lot of games for India. And that will give her a platform of WPL. So, an India tag is always going to allow a player in a WPL. It’s not that WPL will allow a player for India. It’s the other way around. So, soon she will find a way.
A word on Vaishnavi Sharma who picked up 17 wickets. What are her strengths with the ball?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: The 17 wickets is a reward of her being very consent with her line and length. I think she was quite disciplined with her line and length. She is somebody who is very hard on herself; that even if she bowls one bad ball, she wants to come really hard on herself to do it. Quite disciplined stump-to-stump attack and the lengths were great.Story continues below this ad
You have seen WPL come through in the last few years. What is the impact of the tournament on teenagers coming through?
Nooshin Al Khadeer: It is quite impactful in the sense that you see a lot of youngsters coming in. And sharing the room with some of the legendary players of the Indian team. And obviously, the foreigners also. That one month is a great exposure to understand the routines. So, as a player, you should be aware of both the set-ups. Dealing with foreign coaches. Their mindsets. How they want to take this game forward. How they feel. You get a clear picture of two different scenarios. Which is good for players to come up with. So, it is a great exposure.