Internet Desk: It’s been a month that the Indian Women’s team have returned home as the runners up of the recently concluded ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. Mithali Raj led Indian eves lost the grand finale by a whisker against the hosts England last month. After returning to home the whole country praised their brilliant performance. The India skipper still hasn’t finished her unpacking due to her very busy schedule. Many famous TV channels have called her to be their special guests in reality shows, she had to attend a lot of felicitation programmes as well. Along with Mithali the whole Indian team received much appreciation from the whole nation. According to Mithali she has to put her holiday plans on hold, due to her tight schedule.
“In the last three weeks, every day I’m in a different city attending two or three events. I haven’t even got time to properly unpack after getting home from England. The girls are all are enjoying the attention they deserve. At some point of time, we will get back to training and competitive cricket. In London, all of us planned our holidays and some of us were to go together. But now I don’t think we don’t have the time. We didn’t expect this kind of a reception and the acceptance of women’s cricket despite losing the final. People have been very positive. Wherever we go they have good things to say about women’s cricket. We’ve got such an amazing reception that I often wonder what it would have been like to come home as World champions. I’m sure it would have taken us to a different level,” Mithali told to TOI.
“From here on, whatever matches or tournaments we play internationally, it is important for the team to perform to the best of our ability. I’m glad I saw this phase of Indian women’s cricket while I’m still playing. I will continue to play as long as I’m in good form. Also, I want to groom youngsters. I’ve always told my dad, whenever I quit, I should leave a strong and formidable team and not when they are weak,” she added.
“If India reach the top-two in rankings, then I’ll feel proud that I’ve got the team so far. I’m currently focusing on the World T20 next year, especially because we haven’t done well in that tournament before. The expectations will be high and I believe it is important for me to be there for the girls and guide them through it,” she concluded.