Indian women team’s talismanic skipper Mithali Raj has expressed her delight over the recognition the women cricketers are finally getting in the country. The scenario for Mithali Raj & Co. has changed for the better with the fans finally giving the ladies their due.
It all happened after the team’s stupendous performance in this year’s World Cup in England during which the whole country has firmly supported the Women in Blue throughout the tournament irrespective of the result. And the ladies also did not disappoint the fans, as they went on to make it to the finals against all the odds before losing it at the Lord’s by just nine runs at the hands of England.
Their powerful performance, nevertheless, won praise from all quarters as the players were showered with awards and prizes.
“It feels great that all of them are getting their due, and that people are finally recognising them,” Mithali said at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2017 event.
“I’ve come so far playing cricket in an era where it was not really appreciated, and responding to trolls is not really worth my time,” she added.
The 33-year old, who is the leading run-scorer in ODI cricket for women, further lauded her men’s counterpart Virat Kohli for inspiring her to remain fit.
“There are so many people who inspire me every day, not one person. But if I do have to name someone, it’s got to be Virat Kohli, for bringing the focus on fitness. Be it the men or women, everyone wants to be the best in international cricket,” Mithali said.
Mithali, meanwhile, has had a year to remember both on the field as well as off the field. The only woman cricketer to surpass the 6,000 run mark in the 50-over format, she also became the first Indian to have led the national team to an ICC ODI World Cup final twice. After her World Cup exploits, she was named as one of the most influential women in India by BBC in October.
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