Former South African batsman Gary Kirsten’s bid to become the India women’s coach has failed.

Kirsten and other ex-international cricketers, including England’s Dimitri Mascarenhas, Ireland’s Trent Johnston, India’s Manoj Prabhakar, were shortlisted and interviewed for the position.

Ultimately, erstwhile Indian Test and ODI batsman Woorkeri Raman was selected to succeed former coach Ramesh Powar, whose three-month contract was not extended after the recent Women’s World T20.

‘Kirsten was the top choice for the board of control for cricket in India’s ad-hoc selection committee, but Raman got the job, as the South African was not keen on giving up his plum job with IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore,’ said a BCCI spokesperson.

‘He was number one in the order of preference, but was not very keen to leave the RCB role. Having said that, Raman is a good choice, as the team needs a batting coach at the moment.’

Kirsten was also the India men’s coach from 2008 to 2011 – and led them to a World Cup title and the number one position in the International Cricket Council’s Test team rankings.

He was named head coach of the Royal Challengers earlier this year – and will relish the services of countrymen AB de Villiers and Heinrich Klaasen at the 2019 Indian Premier League. De Villiers was retained from the previous tournament, while Klaasen was purchased at Tuesday’s player auction.

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