I still have batting in me, need few net sessions to get the rhythm going: Mithali Raj

The global pandemic has taken a strike on the cricketing world. The fields have been left vacant for better times. Not only cricket but the sporting activities have been kept on hold for a while. As a result, the preparedness for the teams has been side-lined.

Women's Cricket World Cup 2021 FIxtures Announced
Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 Fixtures Announced. Pic Credits: ICC

 

In light of the upcoming Women’s World Cup 2021, Mithali Raj in a chat with SportStar, has pointed out that the preparations for the event in New Zealand have been postponed. The Indian skipper has added that the tournament is more open now. With restriction to gyms and other outside facilities put on hold, she feels that there are no favorites to the 2021 Women’s Cricket World cup.

While having a chat with Sportstar on Instagram Live, she added that the Indian side feels stronger than the previous one who played finals in 2017. The team lost the trophy by a narrow margin in a heart-breaking loss at Lords. She feels that teams don’t take the Indian women lightly anymore as they have delivered at all stages. The Indian side, Mithali flaunts has got the better of big teams in the world.

 

MIthali Raj. Pic Credits:ANI
MIthali Raj. Pic Credits:ANI

 

The team has given confidence to the side where they place themselves alongside other top sides. Share on X

Recently, with the decision of ICC, India became one of the top four teams to take a direct entry into the world championship. Mithali, too, has been vocal recently on social media and other channels about the desire of adding a world cup into her trophy cabinet.

Raj is 37 and leads the Indian side in the 50-over matches. She retired from T20Is to focus more on the one-day format. She currently is playing only a single format. Hence, she realizes the importance of fitness for her to be at the top of her game. She says that fitness, at her junction in life, is essential and has to be constantly worked upon.

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She adds that her skills will not fade away suddenly and a good session will give her the vital rhythm to shine with the bat. Many of her mates have running spaces while others have to cope with limited spaces in the respective houses. She reveals that the trainers are adapting new and improvised routines for the players. Moreover, the Indian coach WV Raman, as she tells, is trying to devise newer and creative skill training regimes.

She, however, pointed out that it gets difficult for the players to keep their practice on par behind the doors. For preparing in a more comprehensive manner, she emphasizes the need of a ground. It will be interesting to find how teams will cope with the lockdown and if the performance will be impacted once things get better.

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