Ramesh Powar unlikely to get extension after Mithali Raj fiasco

The fiasco involving senior Indian batswoman Mithali Raj and head coach of the women’s national team Ramesh Powar could result in favour of the former as Powar is reportedly not getting an extension in his post. The former cricketer turned coach came under heavy criticism from Mithali for alleged mistreatment during the Women’s World T20 held in the Caribbeans recently. The matter snowballed after Mithali was dropped for the semi-final match against England and got hammered by 8 wickets to bring an end to what was a fairy-tale run.

Mithali later wrote to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) explaining her experience. Powar, in his defence, told the board that the 35-year-old cricketer was “aloof and difficult to handle” to which the latter said in a tweet that it was “darkest day” of her life as her patriotism and skill were being suspected even after serving the country for 20 years. Powar posted a cryptic tweet after this which earned him a backlash from the fans.

It was reported that top officials of the board were unhappy with the episode which was affecting the team’s morale. The 40-year-old Powar’s contract with the board ends on November 30 and Mithali’s serious accusation of him trying to ruin her game could be a base to discontinue with him hereafter.

Powar gave in under pressure to drop Mithali, says report

“Powar’s conflict with Mithali has ensured that he can’t continue as the coach of India,” Tines of India quoted a source as saying. The report also suggested that Powar got a call from an ‘influential’ BCCI official on whose order he excluded Mithali without even talking to her.

She scored two half centuries in both the games she got to play and was even player of the match on both occasions. The senior pro was also dropped for the inconsequential final group game against Australia which India won. However, hell broke loose when the Women in Blue failed to repeat the same in the semi-final.

What reportedly made it worse for Powar is that he failed to come up with a convincing reply in a meeting with BCCI officials when asked the reason of him asking the seasoned opening batswoman to play in the middle order.

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