After feud with Mithali Raj, Ramesh Powar not to get contract extension?

Mumbai: Under-fire Indian women’s cricket team coach Ramesh Powar’s tenure is in all likelihood to come to an end on Friday, according to a report in the Times of India.

The 40-year-old’s current contract expires on Friday. He took over as the team’s interim coach following Tushar Arothe’s departure earlier this year

Powar has come under fire for omitting senior batswoman Mithali Raj from the playing XI for India’s ICC Women’s World T20 semifinal against England, which the Women in Blue lost.

Mithali, who was dropped after scoring two back-to-back fifties, had written a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) accusing Powar of discrimination and bias.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, meanwhile, had stated that the decision was for the betterment of the team.

“Powar’s conflict with Mithali has ensured that he can’t continue as the coach of India,” a source said to Times of India.

“Powar should have spoken to Mithali instead of dropping her straightaway after a phone call from Mumbai on the day of the match. This isn’t cricket,” a BCCI source said.