Devieka Palshikaar Joins Ratnagiri Jets as Lead Performance Coach Ahead of MPL Season 3

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Two-time Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) champions Ratnagiri Jets have strengthened their coaching lineup with the appointment of Devieka Palshikaar as the Lead Performance Coach for both the men's and women's teams.

She joins ahead of the eagerly awaited third season of the MPL. Ranjit Pande will continue in his position as Head Coach for both squads.

The 2025 season of MPL is set to begin on June 4, with the Jets' men's side kicking off their campaign against the Eagle Nashik Titans. The franchise will also be participating in the inaugural edition of the Women's Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL), scheduled from June 5 to 14. The women's team will start their journey with a match against Raigad Royals.

A seasoned professional, Devieka Palshikaar brings valuable experience from her time as Batting Coach of the Mumbai Indians (WPL) and as Head Coach of the Kerala Senior Women's Team. Her career has been defined by a focus on nurturing young Indian talent and instilling professionalism within teams.

In her new role, Devieka will work closely with Ranjit Pande to lead match preparation, drive high-performance training standards, and align long-term strategies for both squads. Her dual responsibility is aimed at streamlining the franchise's coaching framework and fostering consistency in team culture.

Her previous work with Indian women's cricket star Smriti Mandhana is expected to enhance mentorship within the squad.

Devieka Palshikaar, commenting on her new role, said: "It's a privilege to join the Ratnagiri Jets franchise, which has already set high standards in Maharashtra cricket. I look forward to working closely with the players and the coaching staff to build a culture of excellence, discipline, and continuous improvement. My goal is to help shape a fearless, confident, and cohesive unit that plays with purpose. With Smriti leading the way and a passionate support team around us, we have the foundation to inspire and achieve something truly special. The dual role across both men's and women's teams is an exciting challenge-one that I embrace wholeheartedly, as we work together to shape future champions of Indian cricket."

CEO Praful Chandawarkar added: "At Ratnagiri Jets, our mission goes beyond winning titles-it's about building a sustainable ecosystem for cricketing talent to thrive. Devieka's appointment reflects our commitment to providing world-class coaching, especially as we set the stage for our women's team this season. Her leadership, deep understanding of the game, and dedication to developing players will be instrumental in our pursuit of cricketing excellence across both teams."

The Jets franchise is supported by JetSynthesys, which runs the 'Jets Club'-a grassroots initiative aimed at scouting and developing cricketing talent from lesser-known regions of Maharashtra. With Devieka now overseeing performance strategy, the women's team is ready to make a bold statement in their debut season and inspire budding cricketers across the state.