MUMBAI: Diana Edulji on Tuesday said if Virat Kohli can have a say in appointment of the men’s team coach, COA chief Vinod Rai should also respect the views of the women’s T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who wants Romesh Powar to continue as their coach.
Ramesh Powar, whose controversial tenure as women’s coach ended on November 30, on Tuesday reapplied for the job after receiving strong support from T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana.
The 40-year-old former India spinner confirmed to PTI that he has applied. “Yes, I have applied this evening because Smriti (Mandhana), Harmanpreet (Kaur) have supported me and I can’t let them (the girls) down by not applying,” said Powar. Powar’s stint after the Indian women’s team lost to England in the semifinals of the World T20 last month.
The team management including Powar and Harmanpreet dropped senior player Mithali Raj for the knock-out game, triggering a massive controversy. After returning home from the West Indies, Mithali went on to accuse Powar and COA member Diana Edulji of trying to destroy her and being biased against her. Powar, on his part, accused Mithali of threatening to retire midway into the World T20 after being denied the opening slot and creating chaos in the team.
Following the controversy, the BCCI decided to invite fresh applications for the post and set the application deadline for December 14. Harmanpreet and Smriti have already said that they want Powar to continue while Mithali is against his return. (PTI)
