‘If Virat got Shastri as coach, why can’t Harmanpreet want Powar?’
MUMBAI: On a day when an ad-hoc committee comprising Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy was named to select the national women’s team coach, BCCI’S administrators were once again locked in a war of words. A trail of emails, in possession of HT, shows how the gulf between Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji is significantly widening.
In recent weeks, Rai, the chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, and Edulji, a former cricketer, have openly fought over decisions taken by the COA.
While several conflicts remained confined within the walls of the Board, the duo openly fought when allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri. Edulji’s demand for sacking the CEO was rejected by an independent panel formed at the behest of Rai. Johri got a clean chit.
Now COA members Rai and Edulji have clashed over the appointment of the women’s coach. While Rai wants the adhoc committee to interview and select the coach on December 20, Edulji wants Ramesh Powar, whose term ended with the T20 World Cup, to continue. Powar, who was a temporary appointment, has applied for the post again.
“… as chairman he (Rai) can’t take any unilateral decision as there is no casting vote for chair- man. Rahul (Johri) and Saba (Karim, the General Manager, BCCI) without my approval you cannot proceed on this as it does not have my approval (sic),” Edulji wrote on Tuesday.
Rai retorted: “I have read Diana’s mail. I have considered all aspects of the issue. In the best interest of women’s cricket, as Chairman of the COA, I reiterate my views. Rahul and Saba May please take action as instructed by me yesterday (sic).”
Edulji has been protesting Rai’s style of working, saying she had “equal” powers. “It is strange that in a democratic setup of COA only views of one person are considered and the views expressed by other member (who was also appointed by the Hon’ble SC along with you) don’t matter.”
“Regarding the coach, right from the beginning, I have expressed that there should be no change but with someone’s ulterior motive emails were leaked and the team was shown as a divided lot which they are not ... once again, you have failed to understand that I have an equal say in all matters of BCCI as COA with equal rights not less not more (sic),” Edulji has written.
Edulji has been backing Powar ever since Mithali Raj was dropped from the playing XI in the World T20 semifinal against England that India lost. Mithali accused Edulji of bias and hinted Powar was in a group “out to destroy her.”
Saying that if Virat Kohli got Ravi Shastri as national coach ahead of Anil Kumble, Edulji saw nothing wrong in Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana wanting Powar to continue. India are scheduled to play three ODIS in New Zealand in January-february as part of the ICC women’s championship and also three T20s.
“The Capt and vice-capt have requested their choice so why can’t we respect their choice … Virat did not accede to Kumble continuing inspite of CAC saying so then why not these 2 players get what they feel is best for the team (sic),” wrote Edulji.
Rai replied saying: “Yes, there were differences between Virat and Kumble. As a consequence of that Kumble stepped back. More importantly, the team did not send emails. The team must realise that coaches are not decided on team votes.”
“If it is a question of respecting opinions of senior players — why not respect the opinion of the senior most player — in fact the ODI captain of the team (Mithali Raj)?” Rai told Edulji before naming the adhoc panel.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition filed by the Cricket Association of Bihar on the composition and functioning of the COA. The hearing is expected in the first week of January when the Supreme Court reopens after the winter break.
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