Ramesh Powar appointed India Women head coach

As recommended by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) led by Madan Lal, Ramesh Powar has been appointed the head coach of the Indian women's team, taking over from WV Raman. Powar has previously held the head coach position after taking over Tushar Arothe in 2018. 

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces the appointment of Mr Ramesh Powar as the Head Coach of Team India (Senior Women). The BCCI had advertised for the post and received over 35 applications," the BCCI media release said.

"The three-member Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Ms Sulakshana Naik, Mr Madan Lal and Mr Rudra Pratap Singh interviewed the applicants and unanimously agreed on Mr Powar’s candidature," it further added.

The BCCI invited application for the position of head coach of the Indian women's team on April 13. Out of 35 applicants, four men and four women were eventually shortlisted, including the incumbent coach Raman, Mamtha Maben and Powar. The others in the fray were former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra and five female candidates including former chief selector Hemlata Kala.

Raman replaced Powar as the coach in December 2018 and under his tutelage, India made it to the T20 World Cup final in 2020 but finished second best to hosts Australia in a glittery final at MCG. Powar was removed as coach after India's exit in the 2018 T20 World Cup following a fallout with senior India batter Mithali raj, who accused the former India spinner of trying to destroy her career.

Most recently, Powar coached the Mumbai team in their triumphant Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign and has also previously worked as the bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The off-spinner has played two Tests and 31 One-Day Internationals (ODI) for India between 2004 and 2007.