Powar claims Raj threatened retirement if not allowed to open

In an official report to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and General Manager of Cricket Operations Saba Karim, Powar made a number of accusations regarding Raj’s behaviour during the ICC Women’s World T20

The spat between Mithali Raj and India Women’s coach Ramesh Powar since the end of ICC Women’s World T20 continues to rumble on.

Powar has now responded to Raj’s criticism of him by stating that she threatened to retire if she was not picked as an opener, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

In a letter addressed to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri on Tuesday, Raj accused Powar of treating her in a discriminatory manner and leaving her “humiliated”.

In an official report to Johri and General Manager of Cricket Operations Saba Karim, Powar made a number of accusations regarding Raj’s behaviour during the ICC Women’s World T20.

^{Mithali Raj was left out of India's World T20 semi-final against England}

In the report he characterised Raj as being solely concerned with her “own milestones” and that her contributions to team meeting was minimal.

Powar also claimed that Raj threatened to retire and return to India before their second group match against Pakistan if she was not allowed to open. She had not batted in the tournament opener against New Zealand, where India scored a tournament-high of 194.

He continued by suggesting that Raj used coaching staff to promote her interests, rather than that of the team, saying: “I hope Mithali Raj stops blackmailing, pressurising coaches & also stops putting her interest first than the team’s.”

Raj issued a further response through Twitter on Thursday, writing: “I’m deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me. My commitment to the game & 20 years of playing for my country. The hard work, sweat, in vain.

“Today, my patriotism doubted, my skill set questioned & all the mudslinging – it’s the darkest day of my life. May god give strength.”