Mithali Raj gives this smart reply when asked about her favourite male cricketer
Indian women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj feels they should not be compared to their male counterparts and laments the lack of recognition despite representing a country where the sport reigns supreme.
The veteran player came up with a snappy response when asked who her favourite men’s cricketer was between India and Pakistan.
“Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?” she said to the scribe in question.
READ | Women’s World Cup: Mithali Raj stars as India win warm-up game vs Sri Lanka
“I have always been asked who’s your favourite cricketer but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is.”
Raj was attending the opening dinner and media roundtable event on the eve of the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Raj pointed out that the Indian women do not receive the same amount of publicity as the men.
“There’s a lot of difference because we are not a regular on television. Now the BCCI has made an effort that the last two home series have been televised and social media has improved a lot of it but there is a still a lot of catch-up to do in terms of recognition,” she said.
READ | Mithali Raj stars in Indian women’s cricket team’s warm-up win vs Sri Lanka
Raj said the team has benefitted under the guidance of coach Tushar Arothe.
“Men’s cricket sets the bar. We are always trying to reach where they set the standard. All of us follow men’s cricket because we want at some point that women’s cricket would be up there,” she said.
“All of us at some point have been coached by a male cricketer. I strongly believe that they get a lot of intensity into the training sessions. They are very hard taskmasters.
READ | Mithali Raj sets semis target for Team India in ICC Women’s World Cup 2017
“I believe that if you are representing your country, your country should get the best of the best. It’s nothing to do with women coaches (who) don’t have the ability.”
Pietersen wants ECB to 'print' Dravid's email and give it to young Eng batsmen
When Australian players were inside, we were not allowed to use the lift: Ashwin
Want to be best keeper-batsman: Raina recalls Pant's words at training
‘See you soon’: England all-rounder Ben Stokes heads to India ahead of series
- Team India are currently leading the World Test Championship standings with 71.1 PCT % (percentage of points earned) while England are in the fourth position with 65.2.
Rishabh Pant is my hero, go-to person
- It was a quiet welcome as the youngster returned home to Mohali with the country still celebrating the 2-1 comeback victory.
Ashwin recalls what irked Indian cricketers before Brisbane Test
- India off-spinner R Ashwin explained why the Indian cricketers were against going under another round of strict quarantine before the Brisbane Test. Ashwin gave the example of the Queensland government’s decision to allow a certain capacity of spectators to give reasons behind India’s firm stance.
Ravindra Jadeja reveals dressing room discussion after Adelaide loss
- Despite being ahead for most of the Test, the Indian batting order bowed down to the Australia pace attack on Day 3, getting bowled out for 36 (with Mohammed Shami getting injured).
Du Plessis says bubble life is not sustainable for players
BCCI shares Rahane's emotional dressing room speech for Kuldeep and Tyagi
Anderson hits Sri Lanka for six as Root anchors England reply
Hardik Pandya pays tribute to late father with an emotional video
England's James Anderson breaks records with 30th five-wicket haul
Azhar tells Pakistan youngsters to overcome fear of failure
