By Melora Mendonca | Opening Doorz Editorial | March 07, 2026
International Women’s Day 2026, Special
In an era where cricket is increasingly defined by data streams and video analytics, Sunetra Paranjpe stands as a bridge between two worlds. As a former Indian international and now a Level 3 coach, she argues that while technology can validate a coach's intuition, “it can never replace the coach’s eye.”
The crux of modern coaching lies in using digital tools to solve manual burdens, like fatigue tracking and administrative note-taking, “without losing the human trust and real-time observation that truly inspire an athlete’s progress.”
In the high-stakes world of professional cricket, where data points and video analytics often dominate the conversation, Sunetra Paranjpe remains a firm believer in the power of the human eye. A former Indian international cricketer and a trailblazing coach, Paranjpe’s career spans the transition from the “pre-tech” era of the early 2000s to the modern, gadget-heavy environment of today. Her journey in cricket offers a unique perspective on how traditional wisdom can be enhanced (but never replaced) by emerging technology.
From the International Pitch to the Training Grounds
Sunetra Paranjpe’s credentials in the sport are extensive. Between 2002 and 2007, she represented India in three Test matches and 28 One Day Internationals (ODIs). On the domestic circuit, she was a stalwart for Mumbai, Railways, and Gujarat. Identifying primarily as a right-handed batter who contributed with medium-pace bowling and occasional wicket-keeping. Her playing style was defined by a clear understanding of her own strengths and working on her weaknesses.
This clarity of purpose naturally transitioned into a coaching career that has now spanned over eight years. Paranjpe made history as one of the first women in Mumbai to earn a Level 3 coaching certification. Today, Sunetra Paranjpe serves as the head coach of the Mumbai Senior Women’s Team, having previously held coaching roles with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the WPL, the Baroda Women’s Team, and the Trailblazers during the 2022 Women’s T20 Challenge.
The Rhythm of the Nets
A typical training day under Paranjpe’s watch is built on consistency rather than complexity. The sessions follow a disciplined structure: players warm up, then practice net skills (including open and closed nets and match simulations), and conclude with fielding drills.
For Sunetra Paranjpe, the goal of these sessions is not unattainable perfection but the development of steady practice and rhythm. She emphasises that a coach must understand the players’ daily progress, focusing on the incremental gains that lead to long-term success.
The Art of Real-Time Observation
Despite the rise of digital tools, Sunetra Paranjpe relies heavily on real-time observation. She monitors a bowler’s run-up, landing, and release of the ball with a practiced eye, while simultaneously noting a batter’s stance, balance, and swing.
While she acknowledges the difficulty of catching every detail in the heat of a session, she views technology as a secondary aid. She often uses slow-motion video on her phone to confirm what she has already spotted on the field. In her view, technology serves to validate human judgment, not to act as its substitute. This philosophy highlights a vital truth in modern sports: coaching is as much about strategy, awareness, and mental focus as it is about technical mechanics.
Solving the Manual Burden
One of the greatest challenges in modern coaching is the administrative weight of tracking player progress. Sunetra Paranjpe points out that manual tracking (writing notes, maintaining data sheets, and remembering individual player habits) is time-consuming and relies heavily on a coach’s memory.
Furthermore, the delivery of feedback is a delicate balance. While senior players are capable of reviewing and discussing raw footage, younger athletes require ‘filtered’ feedback given over time. Providing instant feedback without sufficient data can often lead to confusion or a dip in performance for developing cricketers.
When it comes to developing all-rounders, Paranjpe’s approach is rooted in identifying a player’s main skill early on. She believes every player has a primary strength, an ‘X-factor’, whether they are a batter who can bowl or a bowler who can bat. Training is then meticulously built around that core strength, with the secondary skill developed in a supporting role to ensure the player’s role remains clear and effective.
Managing the Physical Toll
As the intensity of the game increases, managing injury and fatigue has become a priority. Sunetra Paranjpe follows a Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, where the focus of training shifts throughout the year. The off-season is dedicated to building general fitness, while the period leading up to tournaments becomes more cricket-specific.
Fast bowlers, in particular, face significant physical strain. Currently, fatigue tracking is largely a manual process based on feedback from physiotherapists. Paranjpe recognises that there is a significant gap in the market for consistent, long-term data that can help coaches and selectors make informed decisions based on match performance rather than scattered statistics.
The Smart Cap App, a Glimpse into the Future
The conversation regarding these technical gaps leads to an innovative concept: a cricket cap with an integrated camera linked to an app-based dashboard. “What will this tool function as?” is her query. When explained that such a tool would allow coaches, players, and even parents to track performance, monitor fatigue, and share feedback through a single interface, her curiosity peaks.
Her reaction is one of genuine curiosity rather than skepticism. The prospect of a wearable camera that could capture the player’s perspective while providing data for fatigue and injury tracking stood out as a practical solution to the problems she faces daily on the MCA grounds.
While she is open to the benefits of a ‘smart cap’ or advanced tracking apps, Paranjpe’s final reflections always return to the human element. She recalls her own playing days when there were no gadgets, only the “coach’s eye”. “In that era, players gave their coaches complete trust, and that bond was what shaped their careers,” she recalls. “Real progress,” she notes, “still depends on trust, belief, and human judgment. Technology may provide the data, but it is the coach who provides the inspiration.” For Paranjpe, the future of cricket lies in the perfect marriage of the two: using modern tools to solve manual problems while keeping the timeless relationship between coach and player at the heart of the sport.
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