WV Raman the former India women’s coach has issued a clarification on his letter to Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid regarding the team’s culture and unhealthy system. The 55-year-old, who refused to indulge in the letter any further in a tweet a few days ago, said that he wanted both the senior cricketers, who are now in a position of power to shake things up for the betterment of players.
“My writing to Sourav was to propel him into action to course-correct if required. The letter dealt with the need for the system to encourage or ensure players adhere to healthy team culture,” the Chennai born told Cricbuzz in an interview.
The former India player further clarified his adding of adding Dravid in the letter. He said, “Ganguly has seen it all as a former player and captain, and therefore, I felt it was better to get him into the frame. I also added Dravid because he handles cricketers of the future and might make certain aspects a part of the curriculum in the NCA if he hasn't already.”
Raman had stormed a controversy in women's cricket when he wrote to BCCI President Ganguly and Chairman of the National Cricket Academy Dravid regarding the ‘prima-donna’ culture in the Indian women’s team and how it is making the dressing room situation unhealthy.
Explaining his prima-donna comment which was the main reason for controversy, Raman said, “Typical of the current era, the phrase prima donna, which has never figured in the letter, has hogged the headlines! The whole point of the letter was to appraise Sourav about certain practices that need to be reviewed and rectified if he so deemed fit.”
Ramesh Powar was appointed as India Women's coach after Raman's extended tenure ended in April this year. Raman had guided India Women's to their first-ever appearance in the Final of WT20 in 2020 when they were defeated by hosts Australia in iconic MCG. The match was attended by record audiences for any women's game in history.