TOISA 2025 Coach of the Year Nominees: Honouring India's masterminds behind global success

The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) will be held on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, celebrating the inspiring journeys and achievements of India’s finest athletes across multiple disciplines.

TOISA 2025 will recognise performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, highlighting standout displays at global championships and major international competitions. Featuring more than 45 award categories, the event honours both established stars and emerging talents who made the nation proud through exceptional performances.The winners will be selected by a distinguished jury comprising some of India’s most respected sporting icons, including Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, hockey legend PR Sreejesh, batting great Mithali Raj, Paralympic champion Devendra Jhajharia, table tennis stalwart Sharath Kamal and tennis legend Leander Paes.

Their collective expertise ensures a credible and balanced evaluation of excellence across Indian sport.The nominees for the TOISA 2025 awards represent outstanding mentors and coaches who played a pivotal role in shaping India’s sporting success on the global stage. Amol Muzumdar led the Indian women’s cricket team to a historic milestone by guiding them to their maiden ICC Women's ODI World Cup title in 2025, marking a landmark achievement for the side.

In shooting, coach Suresh Singh mentored Suruchi Inder Singh to multiple medals across the ISSF World Championships, World Cup and Asian Championships. In chess, Namrata Deshmukh played a key role in the rise of Divya Deshmukh, who won the Women's Chess World Cup and secured a Grandmaster title. Meanwhile, shooting coach Ashok Kumar Rana guided Samrat Rana to multiple medals at major international competitions, including the World Championships and Asian Championships. Amol Muzumdar (Cricket)Date of Birth: November 11, 1974Place of Birth: MumbaiSport: CricketMajor Achievements in 2025:Under his coaching, Indian women's team won maiden ODI World Cup titleAmol Muzumdar, born on November 11, 1974, in Mumbai, is a celebrated figure in Indian cricket, both as a player and a coach. A prolific domestic stalwart, he remains the second-highest run-getter in the history of the Ranji Trophy, earning a reputation for consistency, technique, and cricketing acumen over a career spanning decades.In October 2023, the BCCI appointed Muzumdar as the head coach of the Indian women’s national cricket team. Under his guidance, the team achieved a historic milestone in 2025 by winning their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, mental toughness, and maximizing individual potential, which played a crucial role in transforming India’s bowling and batting units into a formidable force.Suresh Singh (Shooting)Sport: ShootingMajor Achievements in 2025:His student Suruchi Inder Singh won several medals in Women's 10 m air pistolWorld ChampionshipsSilver – second place - TeamWorld Cup FinalGold – IndividualAsian ChampionshipsGold – TeamSilver - Mixed teamBronze – Mixed teamBronze - TeamWorld CupGold - IndividualGold - IndividualGold - IndividualGold - Mixed teamBronze medal – Mixed teamSuresh Singh is a renowned Indian shooting coach, known for his expertise in developing elite-level athletes in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event.

In 2025, under Singh’s mentorship, Suruchi Inder Singh achieved extraordinary success on the international stage. At the World Championships, she won a silver medal in the team event, while at the World Cup Final she claimed an individual gold. Singh’s guidance helped Suruchi dominate the Asian Championships, earning gold in the team event, silver in the mixed team, and two bronze medals in mixed and team events.

The World Cup circuit also saw her secure three individual golds, one mixed team gold, and a mixed team bronze, reflecting consistent excellence.Namrata Deshmukh (Chess - Divya Deshmukh coach)Sport: ChessMajor Achievements in 2025:Under her coaching, Divya won:Women's Chess World Cup: WinnerGrandmaster (GM) titleQualified for the 2026 Women’s Candidates TournamentNamrata Deshmukh, mother and coach of rising star Divya Deshmukh, has emerged as one of India’s most influential figures in women’s chess.

Combining her deep understanding of the game with a nurturing approach, Namrata has played a critical role in shaping Divya’s journey from a talented youngster to a global contender.Under her guidance in 2025, Divya achieved historic milestones.She clinched the Women’s Chess World Cup, earned the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title, and secured qualification for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament.Beyond technical training, Namrata’s mentorship as a mother-coach has provided Divya with unwavering support, balancing discipline with encouragement.Ashok Kumar Rana (Shooting - Samrat Rana father and coach)Sport: ShootingUnder Ashok's coaching, Samrat won:World ChampionshipsGold – IndividualGold - TeamSilver - Mixed teamWorld Cup FinalBronze – IndividualAsian ChampionshipsSilver - Mixed teamSilver - TeamBronze - IndividualAshok Kumar Rana, father and coach of elite shooter Samrat Rana, has been a cornerstone of India’s shooting success, combining technical expertise with dedicated mentorship. A veteran in the sport, Ashok has played a crucial role in guiding his son to the highest levels of international competition, emphasising precision, discipline, and mental resilience.Under his coaching in 2025, Samrat achieved remarkable success across major events.At the World Championships, he clinched gold medals in both the individual and team events, along with a silver in the mixed team category. At the World Cup Final, Samrat secured a bronze in the individual event. His performance at the Asian Championships added two silver medals—in the mixed team and team events—and a bronze in the individual category, reflecting consistent excellence under pressure.