WOMEN'S CRICKET CONTROVERSY

Kapil Dev 'disturbed' by reactions to India Women coach-selection process

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

The coach situation impasse has extended uncomfortably to a point where the senior women's side has less than 20 days of preparation before the first ODI © Getty

Kapil Dev admitted that he has been "disturbed" by the attempts to denigrate WV Raman's appointment as the new head coach of the India Women's team. The World Cup-winning India captain headed a three-member committee, also including Shantha Rangaswamy and Anshuman Gaekwad, tasked to lead the selection process, which has since been termed an 'illegal step' by CoA member Diana Edulji as it did not have her vote of approval.

The coach situation impasse has extended uncomfortably to a point where the senior women's side has less than 20 days of preparation before the first ODI, an ICC Championship Match nonetheless, against New Zealand in Napier.

"I am very disturbed about what all is happening. I don't want to take names but the ego of one particular individual shouldn't be an impediment towards developing the women's game in the country," Dev told PTI on Saturday (January 5). "Someone might have his or her personal likes or dislikes but that is not above the interest of the national women's team," he added, in reference to the difference of opinion between Edulji and CoA Chief Vinod Rai.

Dev was also disappointed by the insinuations that questioned the credentials of his ad-hoc committee, pointing at the calibre of candidates they shortlisted from the process. "Look at the names who applied," he said. "Gary Kirsten, who coached India to World Cup. Venkatesh Prasad, who was Indian men's team bowling coach. Raman has earned respect from everyone with his technical knowledge. If anyone has problem with these names, then he/she doesn't have best interest of Indian cricket in mind."

Dev, however, admitted that he didn't keep track of proceedings in Women's cricket even a decade ago and that he was drawn into making a contribution by the feats of Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur.

"Just tell me where was women's cricket at least 10 years back. Who raised the profile? It's the players like Mithali and Harman. They have raised it to such a level that even someone like me, who didn't keep a track of what was happening a decade back, wanted to contribute," Kapil said.

"Tell me one thing. Myself, Anshu and Shantha, we all have other commitments also. When we were approached, we agreed because all of us thought that we would be able to make a difference. Is it a fair thing to rake up controversy and derail the development that has happened over the years?"

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