Meet Yasmin Badiani: The ECB Professional Supporting Team India

Excitement Surrounds a Familiar Face at Edgbaston

During the ongoing second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 between India and England at Edgbaston, social media was abuzz with chatter after a woman in India's support staff uniform was spotted smiling at star bowler Jasprit Bumrah while England was batting in their first innings. This moment sparked curiosity and speculation online about her identity and role within the Indian camp.

Who is Yasmin Badiani?

The woman in question is Yasmin Badiani, an experienced sports professional affiliated with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Contrary to the rumors suggesting she might be part of the Indian support staff, Yasmin is actually part of the ECB's Team Operations department and has been assigned to assist the Indian team during their tour in England.

Yasmin's Responsibilities with Team India

Yasmin's role encompasses managing logistics, organizing travel plans, scheduling practice sessions, and ensuring access to venues for the Indian team. It is standard practice for the home board to assign a liaison from their operations team to facilitate effective communication and coordination with the visiting team.

Why the Training Kit?

Although her presence in India's training attire attracted attention, it is not unusual for operations staff to don the visiting team's gear to maintain a professional and uniform appearance during official duties.

Yasmin Badiani's Career Path

Yasmin earned her degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Leicester in 2010. She began her career in healthcare with the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust before transitioning into sports. From 2010 to 2013, she served as a Sports Physiotherapist for Leicester City Football Club, primarily working with their academy teams.

Her career then shifted towards sports business management, where she held positions such as Head of Sport at Phizz Ltd and Head of O.R.S Sport at Clinova, collaborating with elite athletes to market hydration and recovery products tailored for high-performance sports.

In August 2022, she joined the ECB's Operations Team, where she plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless execution of cricket tours, whether domestic or international.

A Brief Encounter with Bumrah

Interestingly, Jasprit Bumrah did not participate in the playing XI for the second Test as he was rested to manage his workload. Nevertheless, even a brief interaction with Yasmin during the match became a hot topic among fans.