Mumbai: India’s last three women’s team coaches — Purnima Rau, Tushar Arothe and Ramesh Powar — had to leave their job rather acrimoniously and this could have been a major factor in Gary Kirsten declining the BCCI offer.
“This may have been at the back of his mind before he turned down the offer,” a BCCI official said.
“It was a lucrative offer compared to what he is getting at the IPL and BCB. He may have had continuity factor in mind to decline the new job. He is a low key man and would not want to be humiliated by women players and spoil his own record,” the official added.
“His job at the RCB is secured but not at the women’s team. If any player complains, his job would be in jeopardy,” he added.
It is learnt that BCCI general manager Saba Karim and CEO Rahul Johri persuaded WV Raman to apply for the coach job. “His application had reached just before the deadline,” the source added.
Apparently, Raman’s tenure hasn’t been decided yet. “He will be paid Rs 3 crore annually compared to Rs. 70-80 lakhs every year he used to get it at the NCA,” the source said.
“Raman was offered a car to be dropped at his hotel but he preferred a pillion ride on a two-wheeler after his interview. He had walked from his hotel to the BCCI headquarters, the venue of the interview,” the source added.
Key BCCI officials are waiting for the next date (January 17) of Supreme Court hearing to challenge the entire selection process.
