Ramesh Powar back as Indian women’s cricket head coach

New Delhi, May 13 (PTI): Former spinner Ramesh Powar on Thursday replaced WV Raman as the Indian women’s cricket team’s head coach, regaining the position more than two years after he was sacked following a bitter fallout with 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.
“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 fray were former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra and four female candidates including former chief selector Hemlata Kala.
It remains to be seen how Powar works alongside Mithali, who had accused him of bias after the Harmanpreet Kaur-led T20 team dropped the veteran batter for the all-important World Cup semifinal against England.
Mithali, in a letter to the BCCI after the event, had alleged that Powar “was out to destroy and humiliate” her. Powar had hit back asserting that Mithali “threw a lot of tantrums and created chaos in the team”. After being removed from his position in the women’s team, Powar proved himself as a coach and earlier this year, led Mumbai to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after the domestic giants failed miserably in the T20 competition.