India Women's team head coach Tushar Arothe steps down

In situations quite similar to Anil Kumble’s resignation last year, India Women’s team head coach Tushar Arothe has decided to step down following reports of a rift with some of the senior members of the team.

In situations quite similar to Anil Kumble’s resignation last year, India Women’s team head coach Tushar Arothe has decided to step down following reports of a rift with some of the senior members of the team.

Arothe reportedly had a fall out with senior players after India’s shock defeat to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final in June. Unlike Kumble, Arothe however, did not hold the discord with the players as the reason for his stepping down and instead, cited personal reasons for his actions that could have larger ramifications as far India’s chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is just five months away, is concerned.

Arothe did reveal that some of the players needed to change their mindset for the Indian Women’s team to go forward.

"I have no grudge, no ill-will against any player, and I wish them all the best for the forthcoming tours and the World T20 in November," Arothe told ESPNcricinfo. "I'll say I had one of the best support staff to work with. But I hope the team learns that to achieve bigger things, to move to the next level, one needs to come out of their comfort zone. And I wish to see more honesty and more intent from the players to do that."

Arothe took over as head coach form Purnima Rau in April 2017. India, however, did not have the desired results under him, going down heavily in the bilateral series against South Africa and Australia. The Asia Cup debacle afterwards is believed to be the final nail on the coffin. That is when senior players had a meeting with CoA member Diana Edulji and Arothe was not invited to be a part of it.

The BCCI, on the other hand, has accepted Arothe’s resignation and is expected to name his replacement soon.