“For the first time I have been home for one full week in my 21 years of career,” says Mithali Raj

The outbreak of coronavirus has led to a ‘forced break’ for sportspersons across the globe and India’s best ever woman cricketer Mithali Raj is no anomaly.

 

 

“I have been following the developments on social media. These are dangerous times, but I do feel a sense of pride that India is much better off than most countries hit by it,” said Mithali Raj.

The 37-year-old is the leading ODI run-getter in women’s cricket. For the first time in her illustrious career spanning over two decades, Raj finds herself at home for one full week. During this break, she has been reminiscing her fond memories as a player and then as a captain of the Indian team, digging into her treasure house of mementos, trophies and India jerseys.

“Other than the trips down memory lane, I am also doing some basic exercises to keep fit as all gyms are closed. I am doing everything to be mentally and physically fit once this virus is eradicated and we are back on the field. But for the pandemic there would have been some serious moves towards organizing a women’s IPL,” averred Mithali.

 

Talking about the women’s IPL, Mithali feels that six foreign players should be permitted per team instead of ‘not more than four’ which is the norm in men’s IPL. “Unlike in men’s cricket, women’s teams might find it difficult to find capable domestic players to form the team if only four foreigners were allowed,” she stated.

“The massive response to the T20 World Cup final in Melbourne showed there was great interest in women’s cricket. It was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was unbelievable and the crowd response matched men’s cricket in terms of not just attendance but the passion with which they supported the finalists — India and Australia,” elucidated Mithali, who was there as ICC ambassador.

Just like all other sports bodies, the ICC has been compelled to reschedule many competitions.

“We were supposed to play the World Cup (50-over) qualifiers in Sri Lanka this June, then tour England this July-August. But, given the grim battle against the virus, everything will go for a toss,” signed off India’s ODI skipper.

Source: V.V. Subrahmanyam for SportsStar