Raman, Powar, Maben among eight short-listed candidates for Women's head coach position

With the Women's team slated to tour England for a long all-format tour next month, the BCCI have started the process of hiring the coach which was occupied by former Indian batsman WV Raman till now. It has emerged that WV Raman, former coach Ramesh Powar, ex-India players Ajay Ratra, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar appeared for virtual interviews conducted by Madan Lal-led Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on Wednesday.

Out of 35 applications, eight India internationals were shortlisted for interviews, which included four men and four women. While the four male candidates were interviewed on the day, the four female candidates Mamtha Maben, Devika Palshikar, former chairman of selectors Hemlatha Kala and Suman Sharma will be interviewed on Thursday.

"Four interviews were conducted today. All four candidates came well prepared. The remaining four interviews will be conducted tomorrow," CAC head Madan Lal told PTI on Wednesday.

Two CAC members -- Lal and Sulakshana Naik -- were present as RP Singh couldn't join as his father died on Wednesday. It is learnt that all the four candidates gave good presentations and their interviews ran between 35 to 45 minutes with extensive discussion on the roadmap going into next year's ODI World Cup. One of the candidates was apparently asked about his idea of creating bench-strength once some of the legends call time after the completion of next year's marquee event.

(With inputs from PTI)