MCA Team C wins inaugural Captain Diana Trophy Women's T20 Tournament
Synopsis
Mumbai Cricket Association launched the inaugural Captain Diana Trophy — a women's T20 selection event named after India legend Diana Edulji — with MCA Team C lifting the title. Siya Modi (121 runs, Best Batter and Emerging Player), Hurley Gala (Player of the Tournament) and Ashwini Nishad (Best Bowler, 4 wickets) headlined a competition designed to pipeline talent into Mumbai's U-23 women's squad.
Key Takeaways
MCA Team C won the inaugural Captain Diana Trophy Women's T20 Selection Tournament in Mumbai on 29 October 2026 .
The tournament is named after former India women's captain Diana Edulji and is designed to identify players for Mumbai's U-23 women's team .
Siya Modi scored 121 runs to win both the Best Batter and Emerging Player awards.
Hurley Gala was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 113 runs and taking one wicket .
Ashwini Nishad claimed the Best Bowler award with four wickets ; Sharvi Save won Best Fielder with two run-outs .
MCA president Ajinkya Naik described the tournament as 'an important step towards strengthening women's cricket in Mumbai.'
MCA Team C claimed the title at the inaugural Captain Diana Trophy Women's T20 Selection Tournament in Mumbai on 29 October 2026, organised under the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to identify emerging talent for the city's Under-23 women's team. The competition, named in honour of former India captain Diana Edulji, is designed to feed into the selection pipeline ahead of the upcoming BCCI T20 tournament.
Tournament Background and Purpose
The Captain Diana Trophy carries a dual significance — honouring one of Indian women's cricket's most celebrated figures while serving a practical scouting function. The MCA structured the event specifically to surface U-23 talent in a competitive format, giving selectors an extended look at players under match pressure. This is the first edition of what the association intends as a recurring selection showcase.
Standout Performers and Award Winners
Siya Modi was among the most decorated players of the tournament, winning both the Best Batter award after scoring 121 runs and the Emerging Player recognition for her overall contributions. Ashwini Nishad claimed the Best Bowler award, finishing the competition with four wickets. Sharvi Save was adjudged the Best Fielder for her impact in the field, having effected two run-outs while saving crucial runs throughout the tournament.
Hurley Gala was named Player of the Tournament for her all-round displays — she scored 113 runs and also picked up one wicket, demonstrating the kind of versatility that selectors value at the U-23 level.
What MCA President Said
MCA president Ajinkya Naik underscored the tournament's developmental intent in his remarks. 'The inaugural Captain Diana Trophy is an important step towards strengthening women's cricket in Mumbai and providing emerging talent with a competitive platform to showcase their abilities. I congratulate Team C on their victory and all the award winners for their performances. We look forward to seeing these young cricketers progress and represent Mumbai with distinction,' Naik said.
Significance for Mumbai Women's Cricket
The tournament reflects a broader push within Indian domestic cricket to expand structured competitive opportunities for women at the state level. Mumbai, historically one of India's strongest cricketing regions in the men's game, is working to build comparable depth on the women's side. With BCCI investment in women's domestic cricket growing steadily, tournaments like the Captain Diana Trophy offer a credible pathway from city-level competition to state and, potentially, national squads. The MCA is expected to use performances from this edition to shape its U-23 women's squad for the season ahead.
Point of View
Not just occasional opportunities. The real measure of this initiative will come when selectors track how many Captain Diana Trophy performers actually break into Mumbai's U-23 and senior squads over the next two or three cycles. If the tournament becomes a genuine feeder rather than a one-off, it could model what every state association should be doing as BCCI women's domestic investment scales up.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Captain Diana Trophy Women's T20 Selection Tournament?
It is an inaugural women's T20 selection tournament organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) , named after former India captain Diana Edulji . The competition is designed to identify and shortlist players for Mumbai's Under-23 women's team ahead of the BCCI T20 tournament.
Who won the Captain Diana Trophy in 2026?
MCA Team C emerged champions of the inaugural edition of the Captain Diana Trophy Women's T20 Selection Tournament, held in Mumbai on 29 October 2026 .
Who were the top award winners at the Captain Diana Trophy?
Siya Modi won Best Batter (121 runs) and Emerging Player; Hurley Gala was Player of the Tournament (113 runs, 1 wicket); Ashwini Nishad claimed Best Bowler (4 wickets); and Sharvi Save was adjudged Best Fielder for effecting two run-outs.
Why was the tournament named after Diana Edulji?
The tournament honours Diana Edulji , a former India women's cricket captain who is one of the most prominent figures in the history of Indian women's cricket. The MCA named the event after her to recognise her legacy and inspire the next generation of Mumbai women cricketers.
What happens next after the Captain Diana Trophy?
Performances from the tournament will inform the MCA's selection of Mumbai's U-23 women's squad for the upcoming BCCI T20 tournament . The association has indicated the Captain Diana Trophy is intended as a recurring event to build long-term depth in Mumbai women's cricket.
