Mithali, Harman meet Johri over selection row

NEW DELHI: The Indian women’s T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur and ODI skipper Mithali Raj met top BCCI officials on Monday to air their views on the selection call that has triggered a storm after the team’s World T20 semifinal loss to England.

Mithali was left out of the team despite being fit and Kaur had gone on to justify the call even after the humiliating eightwicket loss on Sunday. Both the senior players along with manager Trupti Bhattacharya met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim.

“Yes, we (Johri and Karim) met Mithali, Harman and manager Trupti Bhattacharya. All of them met us separately and put across their viewpoints. We have noted everything down,” Johri said.

However, he refused to divulge the details of the meeting. It is expected that Johri and Karim will present a detailed report to the CoA which will then assess and, if required, speak to the individuals concerned.

There is speculation that one of the CoA members has spoken to Mithali but it couldn’t be independently verified.

Coach Ramesh Powar is expected to meet Johri and Karim on Wednesday.

While this may not exactly be related to the selection fiasco in Antigua but Powar is unlikely to get an extension as his interim contract ends on November 30.

The BCCI will continue with its policy of inviting fresh applications for the coach’s position and Powar will also be eligible to apply.