Indian ODI captain and the country’s highest-scoring T20 cricketer, Mithali Raj, finds herself in the middle of a controversy after she was dropped from the Indian team for the Women’s World T20 semi-final against England.
India lost the match, and after returning to the country, Mithali submitted her side of the story, alleging that coach Romesh Powar was behind the decision to leave her out of the playing XI. Powar, in his report, claims Mithali put her interests ahead of the team’s and even threatened to retire in the middle of the tournament if not allowed to bat her regular opening slot.
Here are the latest updates in the controversy:
Harman and Smriti Want Powar to Stay
On Monday, women’s T20 team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana wrote emails to the BCCI asking for Powar’s tenure to be extended, despite his public spat with ODI captain Mithali Raj.
Committee of Administrators (COA) chairman Vinod Rai told PTI that Harmanpreet and Smriti have backed Powar to continue as coach till 2021. However, reports also suggest that Ekta Bisht and Mansi Joshi are against Powar’s reinstatement along with Mithali.
"I, as the T20 captain and ODI vice-captain is appealing before you to allow Powar to further continue as our team coach. There are hardly 15 months for the next T20 World Cup and a month to go for the New Zealand tour. The way he has transformed us as a team, I feel no reason to replace him," Harmanpreet wrote in the letter.
BCCI Invite Coach Applications
On Friday, the BCCI opened the application process for the new women’s team coach, effectively announcing the end of Ramesh Powar’s tenure.
One of the requirements listed by the BCCI was that the candidate should have the experience of coaching an international team for a period of minimum one season or a T20 franchise for minimum two seasons. The BCCI requirements also stated that the candidate should have "a proven ability to manage and interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures, should have represented India or any other country at international level or should be a NCA Level 'C' certified coach or have a similar certification from a reputed organisation/institute and a minimum of 50 FC games".
The interview of the candidates will be held on December 20 at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The appointment will be a full time engagement and the contract term is for two years with age limit of 60 years.
Mithali 'Deeply Saddened'
“It's the darkest day of my life,” Mithali Raj tweeted, responding to coach Ramesh Powar's allegations that she threatened retirement over a batting position and threw tantrums during the WT20.
"I'm deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me. My commitment to the game & 20yrs of playing for my country," she wrote.
Gavaskar Supports Mithali
Mithali found a supporter in Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar who said a player of her experience should not have been left out of a crucial match in the first place.
“I feel sorry for Mithali. She has served Indian cricket for 20 years. She scored runs, she won player of the match in both matches. You have to pick your best player for the knockouts. You needed the experience and expertise of Mithali Raj.”Sunil Gavaskar