Bhutan Cricket Welcomes New Coaching Duo
to Elevate Women's National Team

Bhutan Cricket has taken a significant step towards strengthening its women’s national team by welcoming two highly skilled coaches from India. Manasi Patwardhan and Omkar Akhade, both hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise to help prepare the Bhutan Women’s Cricket Team for the upcoming World Qualifier in May in Thailand.

Manasi Patwardhan: Strength and Conditioning Coach

Manasi Patwardhan, the newly appointed Strength and Conditioning Coach for Bhutan National Women’s Cricket Team, has a deep-rooted history in cricket. She played at the state level for Maharashtra’s U19, U23, and Senior Teams and also represented the West Zone in India’s zonal camps. After dedicating almost a decade to playing, she transitioned into coaching, focusing on strength and conditioning to enhance athletes’ physical performance.

Her coaching journey has taken her through various cricket associations, including Punjab Cricket, Maharashtra Cricket, and Uttarakhand Cricket. She has also been involved in assignments with India C Women’s Team, India’s U19 Women’s Team, and the Senior India Women’s Team.

“Strength is not just about power; it’s about endurance, discipline, and the will to keep pushing. The right mindset transforms potential into greatness.” – Manasi Patwardhan

In her short-term assignment with Bhutan Cricket, her primary goal is to fine-tune the fitness levels of the national women’s team ahead of the crucial qualifier. She observed that the team has an impressive aerobic capacity due to their familiarity with high-altitude conditions. However, she aims to work on their stability, power, speed, and strength to match the explosive demands of cricket.

During the recent fitness training camp, Manasi conducted sport-specific tests, including the Run-a-3 test (to improve running between wickets), Yo-Yo Test, 1600m aerobic endurance test, and 10m, 20m, and 40m sprint tests to assess acceleration and maximum velocity. She expressed her admiration for Bhutan, describing it as a place that feels like home, with humble and welcoming people. She was pleasantly surprised to learn about Bhutan’s growing presence in international cricket and lauded the nation’s efforts in the sport.

Omkar Akhade: Head Coach

Joining Bhutan Cricket as the new Head Coach for the Women’s National Team, Omkar Akhade brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience. Like Manasi, Omkar played at all state levels for Maharashtra and participated in zonal camps in India. His transition into coaching saw him earn his Level 1 certification and take on prominent roles in Indian cricket.

Before joining Bhutan, he was the Head Coach of Pondicherry’s U19 Men’s Team, leading them to a championship victory in 2024. He also served as the fielding coach in the Maharashtra Premier League, further enhancing his coaching credentials.

“Great teams are built not just on skill, but on belief, resilience, and the courage to push beyond limits. Train the mind, and the body will follow.” – Omkar Akhade

Omkar believes that Bhutan’s women’s team possesses remarkable technical skills, a testament to the strong grassroots development programs in the country. His primary focus will be on the mental and tactical aspects of the game—helping players build self-belief, endure challenging conditions, replicate match scenarios in training, and visualize game situations to enhance performance.

Speaking about his time in Bhutan, Omkar described the experience as a privilege and an opportunity for self-reflection. He finds inspiration in the country’s serene atmosphere and its ability to instill a sense of renewal every day.

Bhutan Cricket continues to make great strides in developing its players through international expertise and structured programs. With the combined efforts of Manasi Patwardhan and Omkar Akhade, the women’s national team is set to enhance both their physical and mental game, preparing them for the challenges ahead on the global stage.

The Bhutan Olympic Committee extends its heartfelt gratitude to Bhutan Cricket for inviting Tshetrim Yoezer and Tshering Penjor to be part of the exchange program during the recent testing camp. This collaboration has been a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge and experiences, strengthening our collective commitment to the growth of sports in Bhutan. Working hand in hand in the spirit of development, we look forward to continued partnerships that elevate Bhutanese sports to new heights.

Thank you, Bhutan Cricket, for fostering such an enriching and inspiring sporting environment!

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