Ramesh Powar replaces WV Raman as coach of India women's cricket team

Ramesh Powar was named the new coach of the India women’s cricket team on Thursday (May 13). The Cricket Advisory Committee, led by Madan Lal, had recommended Ramesh Powar as the coach for the India women’s cricket team. This means that Powar will now replace WV Raman – the man who, incidentally, replaced him in the position as head coach. Powar was in charge of the India women’s team for a brief period in 2018. Following the resignation of Tushar Arothe from the post, Powar took over the position – first on an interim then a permanent basis. However, he was removed after the ICC Women’s World Cup 2018. Raman took over from him thereafter.

NEWS: Ramesh Powar appointed Head Coach of Indian Women’s Cricket team

Details ? https://t.co/GByGFicBsX pic.twitter.com/wJsTZrFrWF

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 13, 2021

Now, over two years after being removed from the post, it seems Powar will be back at the helm.

How was his previous stint?

The last time Ramesh Powar was in charge will be remembered solely for the way things ended. India were eliminated from the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018.

Yet the bigger story centered on experienced campaigner Mithali Raj. She was dropped from the side for the semi-final against England and thus a huge uproar was caused.

India lost the match by 8 wickets and all hell broke loose. Mithali accused Powar of trying to end her international career due to perceived bias.

Powar, for his part, maintained that Raj tried to create chaos in the team after being denied the chance to open the batting. He also claimed she threatened to retire midway through the tournament.

Did anyone like Ramesh Powar?

Interestingly, yes. Powar fell out with Raj but had the backing of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. Harmanpreet in particular spoke out publicly about the good job Powar did with the side.

It remains to be seen, however, how things will move from here on out. Powar and Raj had slung plenty of mud at each other in public fashion in 2018.

Now the duo will have to work together again. Raj is the skipper of the ODI side and there is a World Cup to be won in the next year.

Indian fans will just have to hope that this tournament doesn’t end the way the 2018 World T20 did.