Mithali Raj and Ramesh Powar have been in the news for the wrong reasons. There was constant mud-slinging from both the ends. On one hand, where Powar said Mithali was asked to improve her game for the semi-finals of the T20 Women’s World Cup on the other, the woman cricketer accused the former coach of discrimination. Mithali even went on to write a letter to COA and went on to slam Powar and its members Diana Edulji. Many players including Sunil Gavaskar, Sanjay Manjrekar and others came to take sides. Now, Madan Lal also joined the bandwagon. Mithali Raj T20 World Cup Selection Row: Sanjay Manjrekar Comes in Support of the Cricketer

The former cricketer went on to say that if the Indian team keeps changing coaches like this, then the game would not go anywhere. He also went on to say that having a coach for a longer duration would help the team and the players. Lal also slammed the decision of removing Powar. Citing examples of the men’s team Madan Lal said, “If tomorrow Ravi Shastri makes someone sit out, will you remove him as well? Things do not work like this. They (coaches) too are under pressure. Performance is kept in mind, you do not make someone sit out randomly. I believe in performance, so the board should analyse." Mithali Raj's Email to BCCI: Senior Cricketer Accuses Coach Ramesh Powar of Discrimination During the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Madal Lal also said that no one is bigger than the game. Also, the inclusion of Mithali Raj wouldn’t have guaranteed India winning the semis “Once we start making the player bigger than the game, then these kinds of controversies arise. It is the call of the coach and captain. Sometimes, I do believe that an experienced player (Mithali Raj) should have played but they (coach and captain) must have taken the decision with prior thinking and analyses. So, sometimes the decision is good, sometimes the decision backfires," he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 08:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).