Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana Backs Ramesh Powar to Continue as the Head Coach
Updated - 03 Dec 2018, 11:49 PM
Harmanpreet Kaur, the T20I skipper of Indian Women’s Cricket and the vice-captain of the ODI side, has backed Ramesh Powar to continue as the head coach of the team. To add to it, vice-captain of the T20I side, Smriti Mandhana has also supported the current coach to continue.
Meanwhile, BCCI decided not to extend Powar’s contract, which ended on November 30, following the recent turn of events. BCCI also released a tender seeking new applications for the post of the head coach.
However, letters from Harmanpreet and Mandhana has boosted Powar’s chances, who could reapply for the post. It also insisted that team management decided to exclude Mithali Raj from the squad.
“I am writing to bring it under your notice that how tremendously our team has gone under positive changes in the past few months and has set a benchmark in the world’s top teams. Our defeat in the semi-finals was very disheartening and it brings us all to feel more miserable to see how the controversies has stained our image and questioned the entire cricket fraternity,” wrote Harmanpreet in an email published by Hindustan Times.
“Sir Ramesh Powar not only improved us as players but did motivate us to set targets and challenge our own limits. He has changed the faced (sic) of Indian women’s cricket team both technically and strategically. He has inculcated in us the sense of winning.”
“The decision was entirely based on the cricketing logics and observations from the past. Keeping in mind the need of the hour, me, Smriti, selector Sudha Shah and the coach together in the presence of our manager felt that we should go ahead with the winning combination,” the letter further added before urging the BCCI to allow Powar to continue as coach.
“Cutting the conversation short, 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,” the letter concluded.
The vice-captain of the T20 side, Smriti Mandhana also spoke in the lines as to Harmanpreet Kaur. She added that there is a need to solve the Mithali-Powar fiasco harmoniously in the interest of the team.
“It is important for Indian cricket’s growth that everybody is on the same page and I believe that any difference can be amicably resolved via discussion,” Mandhana’s letter added.
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Harmanpreet Kaur Ramesh Powar Smriti Mandhana
