Former India batsman WV Raman was on Thursday appointed as the new India women's team head coach, days after the rancorous row between Mithali Raj and former coach Ramesh Powar following India's loss in the Women's World T20 semi-final.
However, with former India men's coach Gary Kirsten being shortlisted for the job, fans and players expected the 2011 World Cup-winning coach to be the top choice, but it was the Board of Control for Cricket of India (BCCI) that felt he was ineligible due to his contract with Indian Premier League franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore.
"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. He could not be convinced on choosing between IPL and national team," a BCCI official told PTI.
Raman, who has played 11 Tests for India, replaces Ramesh Powar whose contract ended abruptly after his fall out with Mithali Raj, where she accused him of being biased and trying to destroy her career.
The 53-year-old Raman is currently a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. His first assignment is the tour of New Zealand beginning next month.
From his playing days, Raman is best remembered for being the first Indian to score a century in South Africa during the 1992-93 tour.
