When I sit in a dugout in front of 20,000 people… you kind of have to pinch yourself: Mumbai Indians head coach Charlotte Edwards

Charlotte Edwards, cricket legend, coach of Mumbai Indians, Sydney Sixers, and more, reflects on her illustrious career.

She has an English T20 tournament named after her. After establishing herself as one of the all-time greats of women’s cricket, Charlotte Edwards took to coaching with the same passion that drove her to make 10,273 international runs. She broke the record for the highest ODI score in women’s cricket as a 17-year-old. More than a decade later, she led England to two World Cup triumphs in the same year! She guided Mumbai Indians to victory in the inaugural WPL. She is also the coach of Sydney Sixers, Southern Brave and Hampshire. Edwards spoke to The Hindu during the first leg of the WPL’s third season at Vadodara. Excerpts:

How do you find your journey with Mumbai Indians in the WPL?

I absolutely love it. It has been one of the real highlights of my career in terms of playing and coaching. We always hoped there would be a WPL. Then to be part of that first edition with Mumbai Indians, it is what dreams are made of really.

It was great to go through an auction for the first time, and then to get that team together within a short amount of time. What I am really pleased about is the way the Indian uncapped players have used their opportunity. The way Saika Ishaque played for us in the WPL’s first season and then going on to play for India, and S. Sajana hitting that six first ball in the second season. Now these are life-changing moments for these people.

When I sit in a dugout in front of 20,000 people in the night, here, or Bengaluru last year or before that in Mumbai, these are special moments. It has been fantastic, you kind of have to pinch yourself.

What made you join Mumbai Indians?

I don’t think you can’t accept an offer from Mumbai Indians. You know, it was the one franchise that I wanted to be part of. When I think about the IPL, I think of the success Mumbai has had over the years.