The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday initiated the process to appoint a head coach for the women's cricket team after Ramesh Powar's interim contract ended on November 30. Although there was a provision in his contract for a one-year extension, the controversy between Powar and senior player Mithali Raj after the ICC World T20 semi-final exit has forced the BCCI to start afresh.

Sources close to Powar indicated on Saturday that the former India off-spinner has not yet decided whether to apply for the top job. "He hasn't decided yet. It all depends on how the next few weeks goes," the source told mid-day on Saturday. The deadline to apply for the coach's job is December 14 (by 5pm). It will be a two-year term and the applicant should have represented India or any other country at the international level. The applicant can also be a 'C' certified coach and should have played a minimum of 50 first-class games or should have one-season coaching experience of an international team or a T20 franchise for two seasons. The interview of the shortlisted candidates will be held on December 20 at the BCCI headquarters.