Regardless of your talent or the special skills you may have been blessed with, it’s essential to have someone by your side to guide you on your strengths and weaknesses. This is crucial so that you don’t rely solely on natural talent, especially in sports like cricket, where playing according to the team’s needs is vital. You must be able to shoulder responsibilities effectively and contribute to the team’s objectives alongside showcasing your individual brilliance. This is where a skilled coach plays a significant role in guiding each player on the team.
This article offers a comprehensive examination of Anand Shelar distinguished career as both a cricketer and coach, highlighting his leadership positions, coaching qualifications, and significant impact on nurturing young cricketers at the High-Performance Centre for Cricket (HPCC) in Barshi, Maharashtra. With a wealth of playing experience and notable coaching roles—including international positions—and an emphasis on overall player development, Shelar has become a pivotal figure in the cricket scene of Maharashtra.
Anand’s shift from being a cricketer to taking on the role of a coach.
Anand Shelar’s journey, from a reliable cricketer to one of India’s most esteemed coaching figures, is a tale of perseverance, insight, and dedication to the sport. His shift from player to mentor exemplifies the principles of leadership, excellence, and grassroots growth. As the Managing Director of HPCC in Barshi, Shelar has transformed cricketing prospects for rural talent, putting Barshi on the global cricketing stage. For five years, Anand Shelar played for the Solapur District Cricket Association in the leagues organized by the Maharashtra Cricket Association.
Anand’s experience as a player opened the door for him to become a coach.
He led several teams in competitive tournaments, such as: Sahara Warriors – Solapur District Premier League MaharshiLions – Solapur District Premier League High-Performance Cricket Team – Champions of the Umar Khalifa Trophy High-Performance Team – Competed in the Rohit Pawar Trophy Shahid Bhagat Singh Trophy – Represented at MGM, Aurangabad. His experience on the field established a basis for his analytical grasp of the game, which he now applies in his coaching.
Shelar’s selection as Head Coach of the West Indies Masters in the recently finished IML T20 League marked a significant milestone for him.
In a significant milestone for Indian cricket and rural sports leadership, Anand Shelar has been named Head Coach of the West Indies Masters Team in the esteemed International Masters League T20 (IML T20) 2025. This selection brings immense pride to Barshi, Solapur district, and Maharashtra—demonstrating that talent cultivated in rural India can achieve international recognition.
He led a team featuring global icons such as Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, and Tino Best, making him one of the few Indian coaches to oversee a team of this calibre. This appointment represents more than just personal success—it serves as a political and cultural statement: a rural coach from Maharashtra mentoring world-renowned cricketing legends. His journey resonates with the dreams of young people from tier-2 and tier-3 cities throughout India.
The IML coaching assignment was the result of Anand’sprior domestic and international experience.
Not everything comes to you instantly; you must earn it and work hard for it. Anand Shelar’s journey to becoming a coach materialized after he dedicated his time in the domestic circuit as Head Coach and Managing Director of HPCC – Barshi, Head Coach of the Solapur District Cricket Association Senior Team, Assistant Coach at Achievers Cricket Academy in Mumbai, and Coach at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bangalore. He also served as Liaison Officer for the MCA U-19 Team during the Cooch Behar Trophy 2022.
After spending countless hours coaching in domestic cricket, he received an international opportunity when he was appointed Assistant Coach for West Indies Legends in the Road Safety World Series 2021 and South Africa Legends in 2022. These experiences garnered him respect within elite coaching circles and enhanced his global strategic understanding of the game.
He is a certified coach with academic credentials in physical education.
Anand has successfully completed the Foundation Level-1, Fundamentals Level-2, and Professional Level-3 Cricket Coaching courses. He holds academic qualifications such as a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Diploma in Pharmacy. Additionally, he possesses further certifications as a Certified Diet & Nutrition Coach, Certified Fitness Trainer, and is certified in First Aid and CPR.
Effect of the High-Performance Centre for Cricket (HPCC)
Shelar’s efforts at HPCC Barshi represent a grassroots transformation. HPCC annually trains hundreds of young cricketers, advocates for gender inclusivity, and acts as a feeder to state and national teams. Among the notable talents rising from HPCC are Pruthviraj Misal and Siddhant Jadhav. The increasing visibility of HPCC in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) and South Zone tournaments showcases its achievements.
Administrative Positions & Tournament Oversight.
Shelar acted as the Liaison Officer for the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s U-19 Team during the 2022 Cooch Behar Trophy, playing a key role in team coordination, logistics, and performance analysis on a national scale.
Celebrating the Expertise of Cricket Icons – A Salute to Coaching
Shelar’s contribution to cricket coaching is truly commendable, having mentored legendary players such as Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Narsingh Deonarine, and Tino Best from the West Indies; Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and Irfan Pathan from India; Kumar Sangakkara from Sri Lanka; Shane Watson from Australia; Eoin Morgan from England; and Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini from South Africa.
Bringing a rural region such as Barshi into the global spotlight.
Anand’s selection as the coach for the IML T20 League transforms Barshi’s identity, elevating it from a rural cricket hub to an internationally recognized name. Shelar’s ascent represents a blend of disciplined vision, grassroots dedication, and global acknowledgment.
This achievement transcends mere sports; it embodies a socio-political initiative aimed at empowering rural communities through athletics. Anand Shelar’s appointment indicates that exceptional leadership can arise from rural India, mirroring a wider national story of inclusion, opportunity, and sports diplomacy.
Anand’s commitment ultimately realized his dream.
Anand Shelar’s rise to the international level as the Head Coach of the West Indies Masters Team in IML-T20 2025 represents a culmination of commitment at the grassroots level, professional achievement, and the conviction that greatness can emerge from rural India. His narrative extends beyond cricket; it encompasses themes of leadership, empowerment, and inspiration. Through HPCC, his coaching legacy persists in influencing countless young individuals and transforming perceptions of what can be achieved when talent encounters opportunity.
