Cricket Round-Up: Coaching Changes, Women’s T20 World Cup Records and New Leadership Moves
Recent developments across international and franchise cricket point to a busy period for the sport, with coaching appointments, administrative changes and record-breaking audience figures making headlines. T Dilip is taking his fielding expertise to MI Emirates, Ahmed Raza is stepping into the UAE men’s head coach role, and the Hyderabad Cricket Association has appointed Girish Dongre as its new CEO. Meanwhile, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has set new benchmarks for viewership, attendance and digital engagement.
These developments offer plenty for cricket followers to discuss—and for anyone making a cricket prediction about the next season, they provide useful clues about how teams and organisations are preparing for what lies ahead.
T Dilip joins MI Emirates as fielding coach
India’s former fielding coach T Dilip has joined MI Emirates in the same role ahead of the upcoming ILT20 season. The move comes just two weeks after he was appointed fielding coach of the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2027, extending his involvement across the franchise’s global network.
Dilip spent nearly five years working with India’s national team, where fielding standards, athleticism and sharp execution were central parts of the team’s preparation. At MI Emirates, he will reunite with former colleague Paras Mhambrey, who serves as the side’s bowling coach. The team is led by Mark Boucher, adding another familiar international cricket figure to its coaching group.
MI Emirates have also appointed former South Africa batter Colin Ingram as assistant coach. Ingram has previous experience within the Mumbai Indians family, having played for MI Cape Town during their successful SA20 title campaign in 2025. His playing background and familiarity with the franchise structure could help connect the team’s tactical planning with the demands of high-pressure T20 cricket.
MI Emirates have already demonstrated their ability to challenge for the ILT20 crown. They won the competition in 2024 and reached the final in the 2025–26 edition, where they lost to Desert Vipers. The latest coaching appointments suggest a focus on strengthening preparation and execution as the franchise looks to return to the top. For fans assessing the team’s prospects, improved fielding could prove especially valuable in a format where a single saved boundary or run-out can change a match—and influence any pre-season cricket prediction.
Girish Dongre appointed Hyderabad Cricket Association CEO
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has appointed former India team manager Girish Dongre as its chief executive officer. Dongre assumed the position on November 5, bringing experience in cricket administration and organisational management to the role.
The HCA described the appointment as part of a broader effort to strengthen governance, professionalise administration and improve operational efficiency. It also said Dongre would support the association’s cricket development priorities across Hyderabad and Telangana, where investment in facilities, competitions and player pathways remains important to the sport’s long-term growth.
Dongre has worked with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and later joined the Andhra Cricket Association, where he served as CEO for a couple of years. His experience across different cricket bodies is expected to be relevant as the HCA seeks to build a more transparent and professionally managed organisation.
HCA secretary Jeevan Reddy welcomed the appointment, saying it reflected the association’s commitment to accountability and effective administration. While executive changes do not produce results on the field overnight, strong organisational systems can help create better conditions for players, coaches and local competitions. That makes Dongre’s appointment significant not only for HCA operations but also for the wider cricket ecosystem in the region.
Ahmed Raza takes charge of UAE men’s cricket team
Former UAE captain Ahmed Raza has been appointed head coach of the men’s national team after Lalchand Rajput decided to step down. Raza, 38, began his new role this week, moving from coaching the UAE women’s team to leading the men’s side.
Born in Sharjah, Raza previously coached the UAE women’s team for three years. His coaching résumé also includes work with Dubai Capitals in the DP World International League T20 and Southern Brave in The Hundred. He was also head coach of Dubai Capitals at the Global Super League in Guyana in 2025.
Raza brings considerable international playing experience to the position. He captained the UAE in 29 of his 53 One-Day Internationals and led the side in 27 T20 Internationals, appearing in 55 T20Is overall. The Emirates Cricket Board said his previous coaching work had helped the women’s team make rapid progress and expressed confidence that he could build on the men’s team’s recent achievements.
Rajput’s departure follows a notable period for UAE cricket. During his tenure, the team qualified for the Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and secured a series victory over Bangladesh. In his farewell remarks, Rajput thanked the board, players and support staff, describing those milestones as the result of a collective effort and saying he believed UAE cricket had significant potential.
Raza said he intends to consolidate the progress already made while developing the team further. He pointed to a mix of experienced players and emerging talent as a foundation for the next phase. For supporters, the transition raises an intriguing question: can a former captain’s understanding of the national setup help the UAE turn promising performances into greater consistency? It is a storyline likely to shape cricket predictions around the team’s upcoming fixtures.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 breaks major records
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 delivered record results across television, attendance and online platforms. The tournament’s 33 matches generated 471 million viewing hours, a 156 percent increase on the 184 million recorded during the 2024 edition.
India’s group-stage match against Pakistan in Birmingham was the most-watched game in the tournament’s history, drawing more than 77 million viewing hours worldwide. Other major audience draws included Australia versus India, with 54 million viewing hours; South Africa versus India, with 51 million; and Bangladesh versus India, with 42 million. The figures underline the strong interest in high-profile rivalries and the growing global reach of women’s cricket.
Attendance also climbed sharply. A total of 245,815 spectators attended across 25 matchdays, exceeding the previous tournament benchmark by more than 100,000. The final between England and Australia at Lord’s attracted 28,887 fans, making it the largest crowd for a women’s cricket match in the United Kingdom.
Digital engagement added another measure of the tournament’s impact. Content published across ICC platforms generated 3.2 billion views, nearly 250 percent more than in the previous edition. An independent Nielsen assessment estimated the event’s total economic impact on the UK at $93.8 million, including direct and secondary benefits as well as media value for host cities.
ICC chairman Jay Shah said the tournament demonstrated what can be achieved when women’s cricket receives investment, visibility and support. CEO Sanjog Gupta likewise described the event as an example of how major competitions can attract new audiences and deepen engagement. The figures provide more than a record book update: they offer evidence that women’s cricket is expanding its audience and commercial footprint, creating fresh opportunities for players, broadcasters and host cities.
MSK Prasad joins Venice Livewires
Former India wicketkeeper-batter and BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad has joined Venice Livewires as team director and strategic consultant ahead of the Italia T10 League. His appointment brings international playing and administrative experience to the franchise as it prepares to assemble its squad.
Prasad previously chaired the BCCI Senior Selection Committee and later worked with Lucknow Super Giants as a strategic consultant and director of talent search and academies. He said he was pleased to join the Venice-based team and saw potential for cricket to grow in Italy. He also expressed interest in helping identify local talent and creating more opportunities for young players.
Venice Livewires is led by managing director Arvind Tadakamalla and chairman TNR Mohit, who has previously owned and captained Doiwala Kings and Nainital Tigers. Prasad’s role could help the franchise combine recruitment strategy with a broader development vision—an important consideration for emerging cricket markets seeking to build sustainable pathways beyond short-format tournaments.
Together, these stories reflect a sport evolving on several fronts: franchises are investing in specialist coaching, cricket associations are seeking stronger administration, and women’s competitions are attracting unprecedented audiences. As new seasons approach, those changes will shape team expectations and the conversations around every cricket prediction.
