Following captain Harmanpreet's support, Powar re-applies for women's coach job

Ramesh Powar on Tuesday reapplied for the job after receiving strong support from T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana

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.

"I can't let the girls down" – Ramesh Powar re-applies for the role of India Women head coach.

➡️ https://t.co/b7ASJusHyr pic.twitter.com/nNPankOU6C

— ICC (@ICC) December 12, 2018

Powar's stint ended 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.

The BCCI invited fresh applications for the vacancy after Rai's approval while Edulji said that the decision was taken without consulting her and the board could have continued with Powar till the New Zealand tour which starts next month.

On Tuesday, the BCCI confirmed the formation of an ad-hoc committee, comprising India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, former opener Anshuman Gaekwad and ex-Indian women cricketer Shantha Rangaswamy, to pick the head coach of the Indian women's team.

The interviews will be conducted on December 20 at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.

(With inputs from PTI)