By USA-based cricketers, including national and state-level players, hail Rokade’s technical expertise, mentorship and ability to build confidence
Mumbai, 12 August 2026: Behind every young cricketer’s development is often a coach who sees potential before the player fully recognises it themselves. For several students associated with KCR Academy in the USA, that mentor has been Deepali Rokade.
Students training with KCR Academy have spoken highly of Rokade’s contribution to their cricketing journeys, crediting her with not only improving their technical abilities but also changing the way they approach the game and themselves as cricketers.
Among those who have benefited from her guidance are Aparna Gurumurthy, who has gone on to represent the USA Women’s Cricket Team; Laasya Bandaru, selected for the USA U19 National Team; and U15 state-level player Reyaansh Dhar, whose association with Rokade began when he was just 11 years old.
Their journeys underline a coaching philosophy centred not merely on producing performances, but on developing confident, disciplined and self-aware cricketers.
Every player is different
What makes Deepali Rokade’s coaching approach stand out is her belief that every young player is different. Instead of forcing every cricketer into the same training mould, she focuses on understanding the player’s strengths, identifying areas for improvement and creating a learning environment where the player can develop with confidence.
For the USA-based students, this philosophy has proved particularly valuable. Coming from different cricketing backgrounds and levels of experience, the players have found in Rokade a coach who combines technical knowledge with a strong understanding of the mental side of cricket. The objective is not simply to tell a player what to do, but to help them understand their own game and why particular technical or tactical changes are necessary.
More than just cricket coaching
According to the students, Rokade’s influence goes beyond batting, bowling or fielding drills.
Her coaching encourages players to become more disciplined, focused and confident while dealing with the challenges that come with competitive cricket.
From correcting batting fundamentals and improving footwork to developing game awareness and learning how to handle pressure, her sessions are designed to make players think about why they are doing something rather than simply following instructions. This approach has helped many young cricketers develop a stronger understanding of their own game.
For them, Deepali Rokade is not simply the person standing behind the nets giving instructions. She is a mentor who constantly pushes them to believe that they can become better versions of themselves.
Building confidence, one player at a time
One of the biggest impacts of Rokade’s coaching has been the confidence she has instilled in her students. Young cricketers often go through phases of self-doubt, inconsistent performances and uncertainty about their abilities. Rokade’s emphasis on patience, process and consistent improvement allows players to understand that success does not happen overnight.
Her philosophy is simple, identify the potential, work on the basics, give the player time and allow confidence to grow naturally. That belief has resonated strongly with KCR Academy’s USA students, many of whom see her guidance as an important part of their development as cricketers. The progression of some of those players to state and national-level cricket offers an indication of the impact that sustained coaching and mentoring can have.
From first steps to state-level cricket
For Reyaansh Dhar, now an U15 state-level cricketer, Rokade was there right at the beginning of his cricketing journey. His association with her began four years ago when he was just 11 and taking his first steps in the sport.
Reflecting on that journey, his family said: “Four years ago, when Reyansh Dhar was just 11 years old and taking his very first steps in cricket, Coach Deepali became his first coach. Looking back today, I can confidently say that she didn’t just teach him the game—she helped shape the beginning of a journey that continues to inspire him every single day.”
Helping turn a dream into a USA cap
The impact of Rokade’s mentoring is also reflected in the journey of Aparna Gurumurthy, who progressed from being a young player with a dream to representing the USA Women’s Cricket Team.
For Aparna, the journey required not only technical development but patience, discipline, resilience and the confidence to pursue cricket at the highest possible level.
Her family said: “When Aparna first walked onto the cricket field, she had a dream. Like every dream, it needed someone who could nurture it with patience, discipline, and encouragement. Coach Deepali took on that role with incredible dedication. She saw potential, inspired confidence, and taught Aparna that success is earned through commitment, resilience, and humility. Today, as Aparna has the privilege of representing the USA Women’s Cricket Team, we know that this achievement is the result of years of hard work, supported by the guidance of an exceptional mentor.”
Belief that led to National selection
For Laasya Bandaru, Rokade’s influence extended across the technical, physical and mental aspects of the sport. Bandaru, who has been selected for the USA U19 National Team, credits her coach with believing in her potential and continually challenging her to improve.
She said: “Coach Deepali is a dedicated and inspiring coach who always brings out the best in her players. Her knowledge of the game, patience, and constant support helped me improve both mentally and physically.
“She believed in my potential and pushed me to work harder, stay disciplined, and trust myself. Her guidance played an important role in helping me reach my goal of making the USA team.”
A coach who believes in the process
Deepali Rokade’s coaching philosophy is rooted firmly in the fundamentals of the game.
Head balance, footwork, shot execution, hand-eye coordination, stamina, fielding skills and decision-making form an important part of the training process. But equally important is the mental preparation that accompanies these skills.
Rokade believes that young players should not be overwhelmed by excessive training. Instead, their physical and cricketing development should happen through a structured and progressive process that keeps learning enjoyable while preparing them for the demands of competitive cricket.
The focus is on establishing strong fundamentals first and then progressively increasing the intensity and complexity of training as players develop. This balance between performance and development has become an important part of the KCR Academy training environment.
It also means that development is not judged solely by immediate results.
A young player may experience failures, technical difficulties or periods of inconsistent performance, but the emphasis remains on understanding the process, making the necessary corrections and continuing to improve.
Creating cricketers for the Future
The success of a coach is ultimately reflected in the growth of the players they mentor.
For Deepali Rokade, that growth is not measured only through runs, wickets or selections, but also through the confidence, discipline and character developed by her students.
The appreciation coming from KCR Academy’s USA students reflects the impact of a coaching relationship that extends beyond the cricket field.
From an 11-year-old taking his first steps in the sport to young women progressing to USA national teams, their journeys demonstrate how the right combination of technical coaching, patience, encouragement and belief can influence a young cricketer’s development.
For Rokade, every player’s journey remains individual. Some may progress rapidly, others may require more time, but the principle remains the same: strengthen the fundamentals, understand the player, develop confidence and trust the process. Their journeys are also a reminder that the right coach can change more than a player’s technique, they can change the player’s belief in what is possible.
For the young cricketers of KCR Academy, Deepali Rokade has become that guiding force: a coach, mentor and motivator who continues to shape their cricketing journeys, one player at a time.