Kaur, Mandhana back Powar to remain coach
MUMBAI: India women’s Twenty20 team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana have come out in support of Ramesh Powar continuing as coach after his tenure ended on Friday amid a raging row over Mithali Raj’s exclusion in the World Cup semi-final loss.
The BCCI has invited fresh applications for the post, with the deadline on Dec 14. Powar can also apply, but his clash with Mithali and the prompt advertisement seems to suggest the Board is looking beyond him.
Harmanpreet and Smriti in a letter to BCCI have also appealed to Mithali and Powar to settle their differences. In emails accessed by Hindustan Times, Harmanpreet and Mandhana said the decision to drop Mithali was a collective call taken by the team management, including selector Sudha Shah.
“I am writing to bring it under your notice that how tremendously our team has undergone positive changes in the past few months and has set a benchmark. Our defeat in the semi-finals was very disheartening and it brings us all to feel more miserable, to see how the controversies (post World Cup) has stained our image and questioned the entire cricket fraternity (sic),” said Harmanpreet, adding that she consciously tried to refrain from adding to the controversy.
“Sir Ramesh Powar not only improved us as players but did motivate us to set targets and challenge or own limits. He has changed the face of India women’s cricket team, both technically and strategically.
“Cutting the conversation short, I as the T20 captain and one-day vice-captain am appealing before you to allow Ramesh Powar to further continue as our team coach. The way he has transformed us as a team, I feel no reason to replace him at this point of time when the team is coordinating well with him and amongst each other.”
Harmanpreet said the difference between the coach and Mithali should be sorted out amicably. “And whatever may be the reason for Ramesh Sir’s and Mitali Raj’s conflicts, they should solve it across the table like a family and call it truce. This will prove more sense and security to them and the entire team (sic).”
Smriti pointed out that India had won 14 consecutive T20 matches till the semi-finals. “Since we are merely a month away from the New Zealand series and hardly 15 months from the next T20 World Cup in Australia, his guidance and inputs will be helpful for the team to perform well,” said Smriti.