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Mithali Raj drops major hint on coming out of retirement; 'I'm keeping that option open. Few more months to go...'
Raj began her journey in 1999 and signed off in 2022 as one of the most recognised figures in Indian cricket.
She may have bid adieu to international cricket after dominating women's cricket for 23 long years, but Mithali Raj hasn't completely shut the door on a potential return. Raj, who is the all-time leading run-scorer in women's one-day internationals, revealed that she might consider coming out of retirement to play in the inaugural women's Indian Premier League (IPL). Also Read | 'Dravid sir was getting very tensed. He was passing messages but...': Shreyas reveals dressing room story during 2nd ODI
Raj began her journey in 1999 and concluded her trailblazing career as one of the most recognised figures in Indian cricket. She, however, is yet to take a decision on her participation in the IPL tournament, for which the Indian cricket board is planning to have five or six teams.
" I’ve not yet decided. There are a few more months to go before the women’s IPL happens. It would be lovely to be part of the first edition of the women’s IPL," Raj said on the first episode of ICC’s new podcast, 100% Cricket.
Raj led India to two ODI World Cup finals and finished with 7,805 runs including seven centuries in 232 ODI matches. Talking about her post-retirement life, she said that things haven't slowed down for her despite going away from the game.
“I thought it (retirement) would slow down my lifestyle, in the sense that I don’t have to plan my day, week or next series," Raj said.
“After I announced my retirement, I was down with Covid, and when I recovered from that I got involved in the promotional events of the movie (her biopic Shabaash Mithu, which was released in theatres in India earlier this month).
“So far it is as hectic as it has been (as a player), there’s no change to my lifestyle yet. Maybe when all these things die down, I’d probably feel the difference of what it is post-retirement," she added.
The legendary player also lavished praise on young Shafali Varma, labelling the explosive batter as a once-in-a-generation cricketer. The 18-year-old opener is known for her big-hitting prowess irrespective of format.
“I have been a big fan of her game. I have seen that she’s one player who has the ability to win the game single-handedly for India against any attack and any team. She is one of those players that you get to see probably once in a generation.”
“When I saw Shafali in a domestic match when she played against Indian Railways, she scored a fifty but I could see a glimpse of a player who could change the entire match just with her innings. And when she played for Velocity in the first edition of the Challenger Trophy, she played for my team and I saw that she has the ability and the raw power that you rarely get to see at that age to clear the boundary and hit a six at will,” Raj elaborated.
