WV Raman Is The New India Women's Cricket Team Coach

Former India opener WV Raman has been appointed as the head coach of Indian women's cricket team, PTI reported. On Thursday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selected Raman after weeks of speculation. "Gary Kirsten was the top choice for the BCCI ad-hoc selection committee but Raman got the job as the South African was not keen on giving up his plum job with IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore," the official said.

Raman is taking over the role from Ramesh Powar

Raman was selected despite BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry criticising Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai for selecting the India women's cricket team coach before a Supreme Court hearing on the issue. The hearing is scheduled for January 17. Diana Edulji too reportedly asked Rai to put the interview process on hold.

Raman's Career At A Glance:

• Raman played 11 Tests and 27 ODIs in a career spanned from 1982 to 1999, where he represented Tamil Nadu. His career in international fields was also short-spanned.
• His name came in the spotlight for being the first Indian to score an ODI century against South Africa during the 1992-93 tour.
• He is currently working as the batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy.
• Even though the legendary Gary Kirsten, who had guided the India's men's team to the 2011 World Cup title, was the first choice for the role, Raman bagged it.

A committee formed by the BCCI, comprising Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy, had interviewed 28 applicants and shortlisted eight candidates in Mumbai. "Would it not be appropriate to wait till the 17th of January, ie; the next date of hearing before the SC and keep the present matter of coach selection in abeyance till then and have either (Ramesh) Powar continue or have someone else take charge till then?" Chaudhry wrote in his letter. "It would avoid unnecessary legal issues and unwanted controversy," he added.