Powar returns to take charge of India women’s team

Ramesh Powar has returned as the India women’s team’s head coach with the Cricket Advisory Committee preferring the former India off-spinner over former India batsman W.V. Raman.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Powar’s appointment on Thursday through a statement signed by secretary Jay Shah after the CAC, headed by former India pacer and coach Madal Lal, interviewed eight candidates over two days.

“Looking forward to take India Women’s cricket ahead. I sincerely thank the CAC and the BCCI for this opportunity,” Powar said in a short statement. Raman graciously congratulated and wished Powar the best through a social media post.

Interestingly, Raman had taken charge of the team in December 2018 following Powar’s tumultuous short stint with the team. The veteran coach is understood to have recently had a fall-out with new selection panel, which led to the BCCI advertising for a new coach.

Raman was also interviewed for the post on Wednesday, but the CAC recommended Powar. Despite his recent success with Mumbai’s men’s team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Powar’s appointment has raised eyebrows among the women’s cricket fraternity.

Tussle with Mithali

After all, the crafty spinner was involved in a bitter dispute with veteran batter Mithali Raj during his previous stint with the team that lasted barely four months starting July 2018. Powar and Mithali’s tussle during the World T20 overshadowed India’s march into the semifinals.

Interestingly, with Powar set to take over with India women’s forthcoming tour to England, he will have to work in tandem with Mithali in two formats.

While Mithali has retired from T20Is, she will be a vital cog in the ODIs and the one-off Test scheduled in England.

The BCCI is expected to announce support staff and the squad for the England tour on Friday.

Powar’s previous stint with India women was his first major coaching stint. Since then, he has worked with the Mumbai Cricket Association indoor academy, the National Cricket Academy and Mumbai men’s one-day team.

Soon after coaching Mumbai to the Hazare Trophy title in March, he attended a Level-2 hybrid coaches’ workshop at the NCA.