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Ramesh Powar re-applies for India Women's head coach post

by Purnima Malhotra • Last updated on

Powar said Harmanpreet and Mandhana's backing helped him decide to re-apply. © Getty

After more than two weeks of uncertainty regarding his future with the Indian Women's team, Ramesh Powar has re-applied for the vacant coach's post on Tuesday.

The BCCI had advertised for the position of national team's head coach earlier this month, with December 14 set as the deadline for applications.

The need for a fresh start arose after the bitter fallout between Powar and the team's senior-most player, Mithali Raj. A public blame game erupted when a series of confidential emails were leaked following Raj's axing from India's semifinal line-up at the recently concluded ICC Women's World T20 2018. While Raj wrote a scathing letter accusing Powar of ill-treatment and humiliation in the Caribbean, the interim coach hit back at her in his World T20 report, alleging that she had threatened to leave the tournament mid-way with the announcement of her retirement if denied the opening slot in the batting order.

While there were also reports of CoA member Diana Edulji wanting Powar to continue, the former India offspinner said seeing the support of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana helped him make his decision. The India's T20I captain and vice-captain duo had written separate emails to the BCCI, which were also leaked almost as soon as they were sent across, highlighting the growth the team has witnessed in his three-month association. Harmanpreet's letter went a step ahead in requesting the BCCI to persist with Powar as the coach, while Mandhana suggested that the differences between individuals can be amicably resolved sitting across the table.

"After seeing Harman and Smriti's backing, I've decided to re-apply. Rather, I felt it was my duty to apply as I did not want to disappoint them if they believe in this kind of coaching. Rest is, obviously, in BCCI's hands," Powar told Cricbuzz soon after submitting his application. "In fact, a lot of girls have spoken good for me and I didn't feel like letting them down."

Under Powar, who initially took over on interim basis, India blanked Sri Lanka 4-0 away (one match washed out), Australia A 3-0 at home, won all their three official and unofficial warm-ups and then finished unbeaten in Group B to top their table at the WWT20. In fact, the only defeat during his tenure was the semifinal loss to England that led to a furore due to a left-field team selection.

Powar said the other reason he was convinced to throw his hat in the ring was because he felt he has more to contribute. "I hope we can carry forward all the good work we've done so far. Hopefully, that won't go waste. Hopefully, we can build on all the positive cricket we've played and the hard work we've put in these three months as we build for the future."

However, as things stand between Powar and Raj, who is still leading the national ODI team, his reinstatement isn't going to be smooth despite the spike in results and intent India's game has witnessed, and might also face resistance from obvious corners.

"I'm not reading into it at all. I'm looking at a team, 15 players and not any individual," the 40-year-old said on the prospects of working together with ODI captain Raj after their feud. "It's for the betterment of the women's team, and I'll do whatever it takes. Simple as that," he added.

Powar stated that if re-appointed he is willing to bury the hatchet by open and honest communication. "There are a lot of positive vibes around that group of people and in the team on the whole. And I've been and will always be open to talks. I never have closed the door on anyone, for that matter. I was always open to communication, from Day 1 to the last day of my contract. And going forward it will be the same," Powar signed off.

Meanwhile, BCCI has formed a three-member ad-hoc committee comprising former Indian cricketers Shantha Rangaswamy, Kapil Dev and Anshuman Gaekwad to conduct the interviews of the shortlisted candidates that are due on December 20 at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.

Along with Powar, Herschelle Gibbs, Owais Shah and Manoj Prabhakar are the others to have confirmed sending in their applications.

© Cricbuzz

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