Firstpost Spodcast Episode 108: WV Raman's appointment as Indian women's cricket team coach, NBA pre-season games in Mumbai and more

Former Indian cricketer WV Raman was appointed the head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team on Thursday. 53-year-old Raman played for India between 1988 and 1997, mostly as an opening batsman. He is now a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The BCCI was keen on Gary Kirsten for the job but a conflict of interest, given his role as coach of the IPL team RCB, came in the way. A BCCI official said, “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 NBA, which has been trying to get a foothold in India for a few years now, announced that the Indiana Pacers and the Sacramento Kings will play two pre-season games in Mumbai in October 2019. Those will be the first matches of the popular US-based league stages in India. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and NBA India Managing Director Yannick Colaco said the NBA India Games 2019 would take place on 4 and 5 October next year at the NSCI Dome in Worli. In addition to the games, the league and its partners will conduct interactive fan activities, Jr NBA youth basketball programming and NBA Cares community outreach events. Bangladesh defeated the West Indies in the second T20I match at Dhaka to win the three-match series. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan scored 42 runs from 26 balls and then dismissed half the West Indian side to help his side win by 36 runs. Put in to bat by the West Indies, Bangladesh got off to a brisk start. Liton Das scored a quick 60 from 34 balls, and together with Shakib’s 42, ensured Bangladesh reached 211/4 in their 20 overs. They were particularly severe on bowler Keemo Paul, taking 54 runs off his four overs. In reply, the Windies were all out for 175 in 19.2 overs. Opener Evin Lewis fell for just one but Shai Hope gave West Indies a fantastic start, pummeling 24 runs from one over by Mustafizur Rahman. But none of the batsmen, save for Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, contributed much to the score. Hope made 36 from 19 balls while Powell scored a fighting half-century. His 50 from 34 balls included 5 fours and one maximum. An update from the Pro Kabaddi League. The Dabang Delhi versus Jaipur Pink Panthers match ended in a thrilling 37-37 tie on Thursday. The Pink Panthers’ raider Selvamani’s four-point raid was the brave moment of the match, while Sandeep Dhull showed impressive strength and fitness levels to score 6 tackle points.