Ramesh Powar’s stint as India Women Head Coach appears to have come to an end, with the BCCI inviting applicants for the role on Friday, November 30.
Powar’s interim contract was due to run out at the end of November, but the BCCI’s decision to not activate the clause for a 12-month extension, despite India’s impressive campaign at the Women’s World T20 2018, is considered a result of his fallout with Mithali Raj, the ODI captain.
The deadline for applications to be sent is December 14 – the new coach will be India’s third in 2018, after Tushar Arothe and Powar, and is expected to be in place by the time India travel to New Zealand for an ODI series in January.
I’m deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me. My commitment to the game & 20yrs of playing for my country.The hard work, sweat, in vain.
Today, my patriotism doubted, my skill set questioned & all the mud slinging- it’s the darkest day of my life. May god give strength— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) November 29, 2018
According to ESPNcricinfo, the BCCI Committee of Administrators want the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, to interview the applicants for the job. The interviews are scheduled for December 20.
The development comes at the end of a tumultuous week for India women’s cricket, in which the extent of the fallout between the head coach and the iconic player was made clear to the public in a series of leaks.
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It began when Raj, in the aftermath of her axing from the playing XI for the WWT20 semifinal against England, wrote an e-mail to Rahul Johri, the BCCI CEO, and Saba Karim, the head of Women’s cricket, saying Powar was “out to destroy” her career, and that she was “humiliated” by his treatment of her.
Powar hit back in his appraisal report on India’s campaign, saying Raj had attitude issues, and that for her, “she comes first and then team India”.
