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India great and women’s ODI team captain, Mithali Raj said the desire to end her International Cricket Council (ICC) title drought is pushing her everyday and that she will give her best shot at winning the 2021 Women’s World Cup.
Mithali Raj, 37, said she hopes the Women’s T20 World Cup is held as scheduled in February-March 2021 in New Zealand and that the Covid-19 crisis eases out before the quadrennial showpiece event.
Speaking to cricketer-turned commentator Lisa Sthalekar during an Instagram live session, Mithali Raj said ‘it really hurts’ to have not won a world title with India despite featuring in as many as 5 50-over World Cups.
“That really hurts, for me so many years Jhulan and I have played 4-5 World Cups, one-days and T20s but never could get our hands on the trophies. Yeah, that is something I want to give it a best shot in 2021, “Mithali Raj said.
“Don’t push it further. The more you push then maybe me and Jhulan will have to work more on our fitness.”
Mithali Raj made her World Cup debut in the 2000 World Cup and has come close to winning the coveted title twice. In 2017, Mithali’s side lost to England in a closely-fought final in the Old Blighty.
Despite having retired from the T20I format of the game, Mithali Raj and her teammate Jhulan Goswami are going to play a crucial role in India’s World Cup 2021 campaign in New Zealand.
India made the final at the T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia but the women’s cricket team hasn’t played any ODIs since November 2019. India’s tour of England in June-July has also been postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Was looking forward to the England tour: Mithali
Mithali Raj said she hopes the Covid-19 crisis eases out soon and India get to play a couple of series in the lead up to the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
“I think the last ODI series that we played was way back in November. I was looking forward to the England tour in June-July. That would have been a good tour for India to come back into the ODI format.
“Nevertheless, you can’t really predict. Such things (Covid-19 crisis) can happen.
“However, being optimistic, I think this is a good time to work on my strength. Maybe, when you see me playing the World Cup, maybe I am a little faster than I was in 2017. You can add that line in the commentary box.
“Let’s be hopeful and optimistic that we might get a couple of series before the World Cup. If things improve and that is what I keep praying every day,” Mithali said.
