Mansi Joshi Clarifies Stand On Coach Ramesh Powar

India fast bowler Mansi Joshi has written to the BCCI to clarify her stand on former coach Ramesh Powar. On December 3, a report by PTI had surfaced stating that while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana backed Powar, wanting him continue as the coach after the T20 World Cup, Joshi and spinner Ekta Bisht were against it.

Responding to the report, in an email to the BCCI, Mansi states, "Hi all, this is with regards to the information quoted in a PTI news report dated December 3, 2018, after the leaks of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana’s letters to the BCCI. This report states that ‘It’s learnt that Ekta Bisht and Mansi Joshi are against his (Ramesh Powar’s) reinstatement along with captain Mithali," according to the Times of India.

"I am writing to you to deny this statement and clarify that I have not said those words or anything to that effect to anyone in person or publicly. I have never endorsed my views on this whole matter to anyone and I fail to understand where this information could have come from," she continued.

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The bowler even praised Powar's efforts in coaching her, saying, “I have an amicable relationship with all my teammates as well as Ramesh sir and the support staff. I want to note here that I’m thankful to Ramesh sir and support staff for giving me the confidence since my comeback into the team.”

Joshi is unhappy that her name was unnecessarily dragged in the controversy. "My family, well-wishers and more importantly, my coach are all really stressed with this appearing now in all the leading newspapers of the country and the fact that I’m being pulled into this unnecessarily. With this email, I just wish to clarify my stance that I have not said anything on those lines, as stated in above-mentioned report."

Last month, Mithali Raj's omission from the team during the semi-final of the recently-concluded World T20 in the Caribbean sparked a controversy following which Ramesh Powar's services were terminated. The team is torn in two and the authorities are at work to find the players a new coach.

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