Mithali Raj had accused Ramesh Powar of bias saying 'he was out to destroy her'.
The Indian women's cricket coach Ramesh Powar on Wednesday hit back at senior player Mithali Raj after she had accused him of bias saying 'he was out to destroy her and humiliated her during the World T20 tournament in the West Indies.
The whole controversy came to light after Raj was not selected in the playing 11 for India's semifinal match against England in ICC Women's World T20. Mithali's controversial dropping from the semifinal against England, which India lost by eight wickets, triggered a storm and the 35-year-old has said that the axing left her in tears.
ALSO READ: The Mithali Raj Row: All that's happened in women's cricket controversy
In the report, which is in possession of PTI, Powar presented his version of the events. Powar has accused the senior player of throwing tantrums, creating chaos, blackmailing and more. Powar's 10-page tour report is almost entirely focussed on Mithali, taking up nearly five pages in all. He met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim at the Board headquarters in Mumbai on Wednesday to submit it.
Here are 5 biggest points from Ramesh Powar's letter to BCCI
1. "Mithali Raj wanted opening slot"
)
Ramesh Powar said that Mithali Raj threatened to quit midway through the World T20 after being denied the opening slot. Powar said the decision to push her down the order was taken after due consultation with her but still led to a furore.
"Before Pakistan match, video analyst Pushkar Sawant came to my room and said that fielding coach Biju George has conveyed to him that Mithali is upset with batting order and packed her bags with announcement of retirement in the morning," Powar wrote in his report.
"I was saddened by her attitude and it gave me an impression that Mithali Raj comes first and then India. She threw a lot of tantrums and created a lot of chaos. I hope Mithali stops blackmailing, pressurising coaches and putting her interest first than the team." (Image: PTI)
2. "Mithali didn't understand her role"
)
Powar has accused Mithali of not understanding her role in the team and batting for own milestones. "She couldn't understand her role and adapt to the team plan and played for her personal milestones," the former Mumbai and India off-spinner wrote.
Powar said Raj raised "tantrums" and created "chaos" and even told team manager Trupti Bhattacharya she "wanted to go back home as she was very upset that coach is not looking after a legend player like her." There are several references to attitudinal issues and reluctance to participate in fielding and practice drills. (Image: PTI)
3. "Mithali had fitness issues"
)
Ramesh Powar also talked about Mithali's fitness issues saying she could not lean and execute shots due to limited ability in skills and fitness. Powar also wrote that she couldn't field outside the inner circle due to fitness issues and that her attitude affected the team's preparations for the semifinals.
"Her irresponsible behaviour took my time away as I was supposed to speak with few players regarding preparations of all important semifinal match, which could not happen," he alleged.
Responding to Mithali's charge that he asked her to not even show up at the ground for the league match against Australia, Powar said he merely asked her to rest at the hotel to recover from a niggle. (Image: Twitter)
4. "Mithali gave no input, appreciation"
)
Powar has alleged that Mithali Raj gave minimum inputs in team meetings despite being the most senior player. She also did not say a single word of appreciation after finishing at the top of the table, according to Powar. (Image: PTI)
5. "Mithali Raj was not scoring quickly"
)
Powar said that Mithali's lack of intent to score quickly in practice games had prompted team management to open with Taniya Bhatiya. He also said that Mithali's axing from the semifinal, which India lost to England by eight wickets, was based on strategy.
He said that she was unable to keep the momentum going which put extra pressure on other batters. He said that after her threat to retire she was asked to open in two matches where she scored half-centuries but also played a lot of 'dot' balls. (Image: Twitter)
