Coach says Mithali had threatened to retire during Twenty20 WC

New Delhi: Indian women's cricket team head coach Romesh Powar has blamed cricketer Mithali Raj of putting her interest first than team's during the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup and had threatened to pull out of national team and retire if not allowed to open.    

"I hope Mithali stops blackmailing, pressurising coaches and also stops putting her interest first than team's," Powar said in the report he submitted to the BCCI chief executive officer Rahul Johri. "I hope she will look at the bigger picture and work towards the betterment of Indian women's cricket."According to Powar, it was conveyed to her logically that she will be batting in middle order to which she agreed. 

Mithali's lack of intent to score quickly in practice games prompted us to open with Taniya Bhatiya (in first league game vs New Zealand) who always shown intent every time she batted. We used Taniya and Hemlatha in powerplay vs New Zealand as they scored 24 runs in 13 balls. It's not always about individual milestones, it's always about team strategies and executions. 

Against Pakistan, Mithali Raj opened due to pressure from travelling selector and her threatening behaviour to go back home if not given a chance to open.

I'm deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me, says Mithali

New Delhi: Indian women cricketer Mithali Raj took to twitter expressing her anger against coach Ramesh Powar referring in his tour report to the BCCI, that player had threatened not to play in the national team and would retire if not allowed to open. 

"I'm deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me. My commitment to the game & 20yrs of playing for my country.The hard work, sweat, in vain. Today, my patriotism doubted, my skill set questioned & all the mud slinging- it's the darkest day of my life. May god give strength," Mithali tweeted.

However, Powar is understood to have submitted his 10-page report to Johri and Saba Karim, BCCI general manager (cricket operations), at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Wednesday.(UNI)