Mumbai becomes first cricket association to adopt AI coaching

Artificial intelligence has entered formal cricket coaching for the first time, with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) becoming the first cricket body to officially adopt AI in its training programme. The MCA has tied up with Level Up Sportslytics, a Singapore-based AI company, to deploy the technology at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy in BKC, Mumbai.

A detailed presentation by Level Up Sportslytics to the MCA took place in August 2026, after which the association launched a pilot project to evaluate the platform. According to the Level Up Sportslytics website, the company's system delivers AI-powered cricket analytics that span batting and bowling analysis, real-time ball tracking and player-specific performance data.

Head coach Sitanshu Dash and the wider coaching staff at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy will work alongside the AI platform as it is integrated into daily training. MCA joint secretary Ajinkya Naik has led the push from the association's side to bring the initiative to life. Naik explained the association's thinking behind the move.

"We need to change as per the time. Technology has played an important role behind the scene and it’s showing us what it can do to reach any goal. We are trying to adopt AI in our daily nets session and we will see how it benefits our coaches and players to excel. It’s just a pilot project now. We will be taking feedback from coaches and players on how it has helped them," Naik was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

How will the AI system function during training sessions?

Four cameras will be positioned at different angles on each pitch inside the academy, recording every movement a batter makes while at the crease. When a coach wants to examine a specific aspect of a player's technique, such as a back-foot shot, they can enter the query directly into an app and the AI will pull up complete individual data compiled from that footage.

"Across India and around the world, everyone in cricket is interested in AI. Far fewer are willing to put their weight behind a technology and say: we will implement it, and we will take our coaching to the next level," Dash said.

He went on to describe what the platform is expected to deliver for coaches at the academy.

"With this technology, we believe a coach’s reach can grow anywhere from 20 to 100 times. This AI will assist coaches virtually. It is a tool in the coach’s hands, so they can do more with less of their time. The questions the MCA coaches asked today, about the technology and about coaching, show why the Mumbai Cricket Association is one of the crown jewels of Indian cricket. They are a level up above everybody else," Dash concluded.