World Cup-winning captain and a former India coach Kapil Dev has agreed to serve on the three-member selection panel to choose the next head coach of the women’s team.
Aunshuman Gaekwad, a former India opener and coach in two phases, has also agreed to serve on the panel. Shanta Rangaswamy, a former India captain, too is understood to have given her consent.
“I have said yes as women’s cricket is being taken seriously and I had no issues in playing a role in the selection of the next head coach,” Kapil told The Telegraph.
Speaking exclusively, Gaekwad commented: “There have been reports about differences within the (Supreme Court-appointed) Committee of Administrators, but that is an internal issue and doesn’t concern the panel…
“I would be looking to select a head coach who communicates well and has the qualities normally required for man management.”
Ms Rangaswamy wasn’t available for a reaction, but well-placed sources suggested she has come on board as well.
As with the three-member committee set up to probe allegations of sexual harassment against Board of Control for Cricket in India CEO Rahul Johri, this panel also has the consent of only one of the two Administrators — chairman Vinod Rai.
Diana Edulji, the other Administrator, opposed both — for very different reasons, naturally.
Where the appointment of the next head coach of the India women’s team is concerned, Diana’s opinion is that Ramesh Powar should be given a full-fledged term. That’s the view of T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana too.
Mithali Raj, the ODI captain, is totally opposed to Powar.
Kapil, Gaekwad and Ms Rangaswamy will (as of now) be meeting in Mumbai on Thursday to interview the shortlisted candidates. Powar is among those who have applied.