Former India spinner Ramesh Powar has been appointed by the BCCI as head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team, but only for the next three months as things stand.
Powar, who was handling the affairs of the team on an interim basis after the controversial exit of Tushar Arothe, has now been handed over full time duties till 30th November, 2018. His term will include the tour to Sri Lanka in September, a bilateral series in West Indies in October followed by the ICC Women’s World T20 in West Indies in November, the BCCI release stated.
Last Friday, the BCCI had interviewed over 20 applicants, with former India spinner Sunil Joshi and, former captain Mamatha Maben among the strongest contenders applying for the position along with Powar.
After the initial process, six applicants were shortlisted, The Hindu had reported. The candidates, the report added, were Maben, Joshi, Powar, Atul Bedade and Sanath Kumar, bowling coach of the India under-19 team, and Rajkumar Sharma.
But the report also added that the Supreme Court’s verdict concerning the governance of BCCI states that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of former international cricketers, must be involved in the appointment of the head coach of national teams and that stipulation could throw a spanner in the works, as there is no clarity on the constitution of the existing CAC. This could also explain Powar’s appointment till 30th Novemeber, 2018.
Powar is the third coach of women’s team in past year and a half. Prior to Arothe, the post was held by Purnima Rau, who was removed just a few months ahead of the women’s World Cup in 2017.
Powar has played 31 ODIs and two Tests from 2004 to 2007, picking 34 wickets with a best of 54 in the 50-over format.