“It is important to have Sports Psychologists traveling with the team”, says Mithali Raj

India women’s Cricket team gets in action for their first match of 2022 cricket season in the early hours of Wednesday. Being held in New Zealand, the one-off T20I scheduled ahead of the 5 ODIs, kicks off at 3:30 AM (IST) at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown tomorrow.

In a press conference prior to the match, the team’s ODI & Test captain Mithali Raj highlighted the importance of a Sports Psychologist with the team.

As reported by ANI, Raj who is regarded as one of the most decorated cricketers said, “Every player has their own individual way of absorbing pressure and coming out and playing their best cricket. Having a sports psychologist traveling with the team helps, she has one-on-one sessions with players on how to absorb pressure and how to play the best cricket under pressure situations,”

Further emphasizing their role, Raj talked about how necessary Covid-19 protocols i.e., the quarantine and bio-bubble especially on extended tours like the current one increase the need for professional support at times.

Mithali Raj believes the series is the perfect opportunity for the team to get used to the conditions.#NZvIND #CricketTwitter #MithaliRaj pic.twitter.com/cs1eJq5Tct

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 8, 2022

Raj who has had an international cricket career of over 2 decades also shared her ways of dealing with pressure situations. Reading books, solving puzzles, and keeping the mind diverted without much load off the field is what has made the all-time ODI leading run-scorer deal in tough situations.

Talking about the series that is being held in the ICC Women’s World Cup host country, Raj said that the team is looking at it as an opportunity to study the wicket well and try different compositions before getting into the big tournament that would witness the best 8 of the sport competing to be crowned as the World Champions.

Mumbai-based sports psychologist Dr. Mugdha Bavare is accompanying team India for both the New Zealand tour and the upcoming World Cup tournament. #CWC22 | #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/aTUQGBuXCp

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 8, 2022

The Lady Tendulkar as Raj is called, would be giving her last try at the World Cup trophy, the only title missing in her applaudable cricket career. Even though she is the only female captain to take women in blue to two World Cup finals (2005, 2017) but has unfortunately failed to convert both. The World Cup journey that started in 2000 in New Zealand will now end in New Zealand, hopefully on a positive note.

Concluding the Conference with a remark on T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Raj said,

“She definitely gets experience into the squad. In Australia, we missed an experienced batter in the middle and her coming back helps the team. Her off-spin can also help us, considering these options it is good to have her back in the squad.”

 Schedule for New Zealand v India

India’s schedule for Group Stage of 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup