Ramesh Powar back as Indian women cricket team's Head Coach
Former spinner Ramesh Powar on Thursday replaced WV Raman as the Head-Coach of the Indian women cricket team, regaining the position more than two years after he was sacked following a bitter fallout with One Day International (ODI) captain Mithali Raj. The 42-year-old was recommended by the Madan Lal-led Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) after interviewing eight candidates, including Raman. Here are more details.
BCCI had received over 35 applications for the post
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces the appointment of Mr. Ramesh Powar as the Head Coach of Team India (Senior Women). The BCCI had advertised for the post and received over 35 applications," a BCCI statement read. The others in the fray were former India wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra and four female candidates including former Chief Selector Hemlata Kala.
Raj had accused Powar of bias
It remains to be seen how Powar works alongside Mithali Raj, who had accused him of bias after the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side dropped the veteran batter for the all-important World Cup semifinal against England.
Raj threw a lot of tantrums, created chaos: Powar
Raj wrote to BCCI after the event, alleging that Powar, was out to destroy and humiliate her. Powar had hit back asserting that Raj "threw a lot of tantrums and created chaos in the team." Earlier this year, Powar led Mumbai to Vijay Hazare Trophy after the domestic giants failed miserably in the T20 competition.
Team lost ODI and T20 series to SA under Raman
Raman, who replaced Powar in December 2018, now finds himself in a similar situation. The former Indian batsman had coached India to the T20 World Cup final last year but it seems the ODI and T20 series loss to the visiting South African team in March cost him the job. It was the team's first assignment in 12 months after the COVID-19 pandemic break.
Powar's first assignment will be the UK tour
Powar's major challenge will be to prepare the team for the ODI World Cup in New Zealand next year. His first assignment will be a full-fledged tour of the UK starting with India's first Test in over six years from June 16 against host England. The team is also scheduled to tour Australia before the World Cup.
