Powar back in the saddle

Off spinner from Mumbai is back as Indian women's cricket head coach, replacing WV Raman

Former spinner Ramesh Powar is back in the saddle as he replaces W V Raman as the Indian women's cricket team's head coach, regaining the position more than two years after he was sacked following a bitter fallout with ODI captain Mithali Raj.

The 42-year-old was recommended by the Madan Lalled Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) after interviewing eight candidates, including Raman.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces the appointment of Mr Ramesh Powar as the Head Coach of Team India (Senior Women). The BCCI had advertised for the post and received over 35 applications," a BCCI statement read.

"Looking forward to take Indian women's cricket ahead. I thank CAC and BCCI to have gicen me this oppertunity," said Powar while talking to FPJ soon after being appointed.

The others in fray were former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra and four female candidates including former chief selector Hemlata Kala.

It remains to be seen how Powar works alongside Mithali, who had accused him of bias after the Harmanpreet Kaur-led T20 team dropped the veteran batter for the all-important World

Cup semifinal against England.

Mithali, in a letter to the BCCI after the event, had alleged that Powar was out to destroy and humiliate her. Powar had hit back asserting that Mithali threw a lot of tantrums and created chaos in the team.

After being removed from his position in the women's team, Powar proved himself as a coach and earlier this year, led Mumbai to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after the domestic giants failed miserably in the T20 competition.

Raman, who had replaced Powar in December 2018, now finds himself in a similar situation.

The former India batsman had coached India to the T20 World Cup final last year but it seems the ODI and T20 series loss to the visiting South African team in March cost him the job.

It was the team's first assignment in 12 months after a prolonged break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Powar's major challenge will be to prepare the team for the ODI World Cup in New Zealand next year.

His first assignment will be a full-fledged tour of the UK starting with India's first Test in seven years from June 16 against hosts England.

The team is also scheduled to tour Australia before the World Cup.