Former India batsman WV Raman appointed as the new coach of the India women's cricket team

Former India batsman WV Raman has been appointed as the new coach of the India women's team, who lost in the semi-finals of the recent World Twenty20.

India are currently third in the women's world ODI rankings and fifth in the T20 category.

India lost to England by 8 wickets in the World T20 semi-final in Antigua last month.

The 53-year-old, who played 11 Tests and 27 one-day internationals from 1988-97, replaces Ramesh Powar.

Raman has coached India U19, Bengal and Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy and becomes the fourth coach of the women's team within the last 20 months.

Gary Kirsten was the preferred choice but was not able to accept the post.

A committee comprising former India internationals Anshuman Gaekwad, Kapil Dev and Shantha Rangswamy recommended ex-South Africa batsman Kirsten to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

But Kirsten - who coached the India men's team to success at the 2011 World Cup, before a two-year spell in charge of his native South Africa, was not prepared to leave his post as head coach of Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

W V Raman was the second choice, with former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad, who has worked as India's men's bowling coach and has also coached with Kings XI Punjab and RCB, the third recommended candidate.