Anshuman Gaekwad to be on interview panel to select Women’s Coach, CAC's response awaited

Former India captain Anshuman Gaekwad is set to be on the panel that will interview the candidates for head coach’s position for the Indian women’s team. On Thursday, the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) wrote to the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising India legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, asking them to conduct interviews for the role. However, the CAC is yet to respond. Former two-time national coach and selector, Gaekwad, confirmed to Cricketnext that he had accepted the request to be on the panel. [caption id=“attachment_5692811” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Anshuman Gaekwad. Reuters[/caption] “I was approached by the BCCI to be on the interview panel to select the women’s coach and I have agreed to the request,” Gaekwad told CricketNext. “They will inform me in due course where I have to go for the interviews.” Along with Gaekwad, 1983 World Cup winning captain, Kapil Dev, could also be part of the panel to zero in on the new coach for the women’s team. As per norms, the CAC is mandated to conduct interviews for the job but the committee, comprising the legendary trio of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, may not be part of the process owing to prior commitments. BCCI General Manager (cricketing operations) Saba Karim, who is in charge of women’s cricket, told CricketNext  “We have sent a mail to CAC last night and we are still waiting to hear back from them.", However, Karim also added that they might have to resort to alternative arrangements if CAC declines their request. There is speculation that the CAC may refuse the request like it did while selecting junior selection committee. In addition, Tendulkar had cited conflict of interest due to his son Arjun’s active participation in age-group cricket. Former coach Ramesh Powar’s term ended last week after India’s exit from the semi-finals of World T20 in the Caribbean. The team management had dropped senior player Mithali Raj from the knockout contest. In the aftermath, Mithali went on to accuse Powar and CoA member Diana Eduji of trying to destroy her and having a bias against her. Powar, on his part, accused Mithali of threatening to retire midway into the World T20 after being denied the opening slot and blackmailing and Pressurising coaches . T20I captain and ODI team vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur along with her T20 deputy Smriti Mandhana have backed Powar to continue as coach and wrote to BCCI expressing the same. It is understood that Powar has not yet re-applied for coach’s position. The last date for application is 14 December, with the interviews scheduled for 20 December.