India women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has denied rumours of any rift with former head coach Ramesh Powar who recently got by Board of Control for India (BCCI) sacked few months ahead of T20 World Cup 2022. On the eve of the first T20I of five-T20I series against Australia at home, Harmanpreet denied reports of any fallout.
"Well, it's nothing like that. I've always enjoyed working with Ramesh sir whenever I got an opportunity. We have learnt a lot from him and grown as a team," the 33-year-old said.
"It's the BCCI's decision to move him to NCA. He will work there as the spin coach, and whenever we'll go to NCA, Ramesh sir is always available."
Currently, Harmanpreet-led India are without a head coach. On the same day Powar got sacked and got transferred to National Cricket Academy (NCA) as men’s spin-bowling coach, former India batter Hrishikesh Kanitkar was appointed as the women’s team’s batting coach.
Within few days of Kanitkar taking over, Harmanpreet hailed the new batting coach’s “calmness” as she said, "We had a very good experience with him when we were in Sri Lanka.
"He was always available whenever it's needed. He brings a lot of experience to the team. We are only looking forward and how we proceed further. We are in right hands. We are fully okay with whatever the decision BCCI is taking.
"He's very calm. We needed someone who can give that calmness on the field. You would have seen that in the past at a crucial time, the girls need that support, someone who can guide with calmness and tell us what and how to do with some clear thoughts. We had experienced that in Sri Lanka."
Kantikar’s arrival in the camp is also positive as he has been involved with team earlier as well.
"It would have been difficult if it was a new coach, but we have already worked with Hrishi sir.
"I don't think there will be any problem. If a new coach would have come we would have to explain a lot of things, how we are working.
"He already knew the type of work we were doing. I don't think there would be any major changes."
"When we got to know that he's coming on board, the team got a lot positivity because we really liked the way he worked with us in Sri Lanka."
