India Women’s ODI captain Mithali Raj is optimistic about winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021, but she also hopes that the tournament didn’t get postponed in the wake of the coronavirus.
The veteran women cricketer Mithali, who was handed over the captaincy of the side in 2005, has participated in many world Cups but has failed to get the hands-on the trophy. The right-hand batswoman led the team two times in 2005 and last being in 2017 in the grand finals of the World Cup.
In the last world cup, the Indian team gave the tough fight to the England women’s team but could not win the game. For the upcoming edition, Mithali is getting herself prepared and wants to end her International Cricket Council (ICC) title drought.
Speaking to cricketer-turned commentator Lisa Sthalekar during an Instagram live session, she revealed how he feels for not winning a title.
“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 the 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.”
Hopeful of playing series before the World Cup: Mithali Raj
The Indian women team has not played an ODI game after November 2019. So, it will be important for them to play matches to prepare themselves for the mega event.
Mithali hopes that the unprecedented virus soon gets cured and they had the opportunity to play a couple of series ahead of 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.
“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.
Earlier, this year, the Indian women’s team headed by Harmanpreet Kaur entered the final of the T20 World Cup but faced defeat against the dominant Australian team.