The Mumbai Cricket Association is all set to take a giant leap towards developing women's cricket by proposing to establish a Residential Women's Cricket Academy within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. MCA president Ajinkya Naik has written formally to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting a suitable land parcel for the project. The proposed academy is envisioned as a CoE and will provide state-of-the-art facilities comprising cricket grounds, indoor practice areas, a gym, physiotherapy and sports medicine support, residential accommodation, and academic classrooms. This will provide all women cricketers with the opportunity to train, recover, and receive education within one location without the logistical barriers that exist presently. Currently, most of the women players in Mumbai have to travel across the city to attend practice sessions, with their schedules being worked around whatever little infrastructure there is. The new residential setup will eliminate these challenges and provide the players with an integrated space to train and grow as professional athletes. Also Read | WPL 2026 Mega Auction: Full List of Retained Players, Rules, and Team Purses The proposal was presented to the Chief Minister during a felicitation ceremony held for Maharashtra players who were part of India’s recent ICC Women’s World Cup-winning squad. Among those honoured were Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, head coach Amol Muzumdar, bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi, and members of the support staff. A Not-for-Profit Initiative to Empower Women Cricketers in Mumbai The MCA has committed itself to developing and managing the facility on a not-for-profit basis, with all surpluses being reinvested toward ensuring that the focus remains on player welfare and long-term talent development. This initiative is a major step forward in creating an inclusive cricketing ecosystem that provides equal opportunities, world-class training, and infrastructure to women cricketers from Mumbai and its adjoining regions.