This award will inspire many young girls: Mithali Raj
Hyderabad: Her international career started nearly two decades ago. That’s a long journey but the ebullient Mithali Raj continues to script success stories in women’s cricket. The Hyderabad cricketer, who possesses a showcase full of accolades and a bagful of records in women’s cricket, has been one of the 12 recipients of this year’s Dhyan […]
Hyderabad: Her international career started nearly two decades ago. That’s a long journey but the ebullient Mithali Raj continues to script success stories in women’s cricket. The Hyderabad cricketer, who possesses a showcase full of accolades and a bagful of records in women’s cricket, has been one of the 12 recipients of this year’s Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. Being the game changer of Indian women’s cricket, Mithali at 38, is still hungry for runs in international cricket.
“This award will inspire many young girls to take up this wonderful sport which has given me so much,” said Mithali, who is now in Bengaluru to represent Railways in the Senior National women’s cricket championship, adding “It is good to see there are centurions in domestic cricket. It is good to see the standard growing.”
She said she is happy that her achievements are recognised by the Government and for the hard work that she has put in all these long years. “I’m grateful to the Prime Minister (Modi), Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur), Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah (BCCI) for getting this award. I’m honoured and fortunate to get support from different quarters. I’m extremely delighted at the way women’s cricket has evolved over the years. There is more awareness and eagerness among parents to allow their daughters to play cricket since the last four years. That is something that excites me. It is a surreal feeling.”
Mithali said there is no secret for her long career. “It is just that I know the importance of representing the country and thereby being the Ambassador of the sport. The hunger to reach the optimum best makes her work hard.”
Mithali said she is never tired of the game. “I never get tired nor have I ever felt the need for motivation. The hunger has never died. There is always a desire to score runs no matter which game, international or domestic, you are playing. Each time I touch the bat, I have to score runs. I’m not superstitious about any particular bat nor that I’m not that attached. But what (late) Sampath sir taught me is to respect the bat as it gives runs to me.”
Mithali, who at 22 years became the Indian captain, pointed out that long years of experience has helped her to play successfully in international cricket. “The knowledge that I have gained through various coaches has helped me to absorb and translate it into performance.”
The prolific batter revealed that the lockdown did not help cricketers during the pandemic. “Therefore there was a huge change in our own lifestyle, protocols, and bubbles. Once cricket resumed, there was a lot of enthusiasm among the girls to perform. They understood that there is only one year to prepare for next year’s World Cup. They approached the game very seriously and we worked on compositions. There was clarity and when a player knows about that, she is in a better position to prepare and they delivered it.”
On the next year’s one-day World Cup, Mithali said the way Indian girls are playing there is a very good chance in next year’s tournament. “But again the World Cup carries its own expectations and pressures.”
She was happy that Indians were doing very well in WBBL in Australia. “The players are getting into a good rhythm and scoring runs and now in domestic cricket, there are a lot of good performances around. Playing in matches are always helpful.”
Asked about whether the three-day format game should be reintroduced in the country, Mithali said it all depends on the international calendar. “If the Test matches are going to be part of the series in coming years and if all the cricket board feel the need of three formats then we need to have three-day cricket in domestic tournament also.”
On the numerous records she holds in these long 19 years, Mithali said ”As long as we win and my performances can useful to that win then that is important for me.”
Mithali signed off by saying the Indian team may have entered two World Cup finals under her captaincy but she would like the World Cup in her kitty. “It is not the ultimate dream but that is the goal.”
Coach RSR Murthy said this Khel Ratna award is a reward for her dedication and devotion to the game.
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