Former Indian Women’s team coach WV Raman has urged BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to stop a "smear campaign" against him that has gained unwarranted traction.
BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee including Sulakshana Naik, Madan Lal, and Rudra Pratap Singh appointed Ramesh Powar as coach of the Indian women’s team. The former Indian off-spinner off-spinner replaced WV Raman, who took over coaching duties in December 2018.
Under WV Raman’s tenure Indian women’s team to reach the finals of the T20 World Cup in 2020. However, the former left-handed batsman was not retained as the head coach of the senior women's team by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
WV Raman writes to Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid; alleges "prima donna" culture in the team
In a mail to BCCI president and National Cricket Academy head Rahul Dravid, WV Raman wrote that although there are different opinions on his style of functioning, they don't value right now as he has been replaced.
"I presume you might have been told different views about my style of functioning and work ethic. Whether those views conveyed to the officials of the BCCI had any impact on my candidature is of no consequence now,” WV Raman wrotein the letter which is in possession of PTI.
Raman said that ‘smear campaign’ against him seems to have gained traction which needs to be stopped as he is ready to explain.
"What is important is that the smear campaign seems to have gained some unwarranted traction with some BCCI officials which needs to be halted permanently. I am prepared to give an explanation should you or any of the office bearers require it,” he said.
Raman remarked that if his rejection as a coach is due to reasons other than his incompetency then it would be extremely disconcerting for him.
"If I were to be rejected due to my incompetency as a coach, there is no argument on a judgment call at all. But what will be extremely disconcerting is if my candidature was rejected due to any other reasons," he said.
Raman further stated in this regard:
"Especially if it was due to allegations from people who were more focussed on achieving their personal objectives at the expense of the overall hygiene and welfare of the Indian women's team and the pride of the country.
"If some people in the system have been highly accommodative to the extent of being seemingly obsequious to an accomplished performers for years on end and if that performer feels constrained to adhere to the culture, then I would leave it to you to decide if the coach was asking for too much,” he said.
Raman pointed out that in his coaching career of 20 years he has always created a culture in which the team comes first before any individual and paying heed to only one’s views creates holes in the process and the system.
"In a coaching career spanning 20 years, I have always created a culture in which the team always comes first and insisted on no individual overriding either the game or the team.
“Paying heed to only one individual's views while disregarding everyone else's over a long period has resulted in gaping holes in the process and the system,” he stated.
"Have no inclination to talk about women's cricket as my tenure has ended," says WV Raman
WV Raman further urged Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid to ‘salvage women’s cricket falling’. He added that he’s ready to provide suggestions that will help to improve women’s cricket in India.
"The time has come for you two accomplished former legends to salvage women's cricket falling which things could gather momentum in the wrong direction.
“I have some suggestions that might help in the improvement of women's cricket. I will be delighted to share those if you are interested,” he concluded.
(PTI inputs)
