Purnima Rau is a former Indian cricketer who represented the India women's national cricket team during the 1990s. She played as a right-handed batter and was associated with the Indian side during a formative period of women's cricket in the country, later transitioning into coaching and selection roles.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Name | Purnima Rau |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Cricket |
| Role | Batter |
| National team | India women |
| Later roles | Coach, selector |
Background
Purnima Rau emerged through the domestic women's cricket structure in India during a period when the sport was administered by the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI), prior to its merger with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2006. She was part of the generation of cricketers who played for India before women's cricket received the institutional support and visibility it has in the contemporary era.
Playing career
Rau played international cricket for India in both Test and One Day International formats during the 1990s. She also captained the national side, leading India in international fixtures during her tenure as a player. Her career coincided with India's participation in early Women's Cricket World Cup tournaments and bilateral series against established sides such as England, Australia, and New Zealand.
Coaching and administration
After retiring from active play, Rau remained involved with Indian cricket. She served as a coach of the India women's national team, working with the squad during the period following the BCCI's takeover of women's cricket administration. She has also been associated with selection responsibilities for the national women's set-up and with domestic teams in the women's circuit.
Significance
As a former captain and subsequent coach, Purnima Rau is among the figures who provided continuity between the WCAI-era of Indian women's cricket and its post-2006 integration with the BCCI. Her career is often cited in discussions of Indian women's cricket history alongside contemporaries who shaped the game in the 1990s.
Related topics
- India women's national cricket team
- Women's Cricket Association of India
- Board of Control for Cricket in India
- Women's Cricket World Cup
- Women's cricket in India
References
- Wikidata entry: Q7261359