Mithali Raj Sets Sight On The 2021 World Cup; Ready To Give Her Best Shot

Indian Women’s National Cricket Team’s ODI skipper, Mithali Raj is eyeing to win the 2021 Women’s World Cup and is ready to deliver her best to win the competition. Mithali Raj also wished that the COVID-19 pandemic ends soon so that cricketing action can return to normalcy at the earliest.

India’s best shot in the Women’s ODI World Cup came in 2017 where they qualified for the grand finale of the tournament. However, much to the dismay of Indian fans all across the globe, the women’s team lost the final to England and also their first-ever chance to grab their hands on a coveted trophy.

Their recent disappointment came in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup wherein they remained invincibles of the tournament until the final. They lost the final to Australi women’s in Melbourne.

Mithali Raj Sets Sight On The 2021 World Cup

Speaking to cricketer-turned commentator Lisa Sthalekar during an Instagram live session, Mithali Raj said ‘it really hurts’ to have not won a world title with India despite featuring in as many as five 50-over World Cups.

“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 a 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,” she added.

Was Looking Forward To The England Tour: Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj said she hopes the Covid-19 crisis eases out soon and India get to play a couple of series in the lead up to 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. Nevertheless, you can’t really predict. Such things (Covid-19 crisis) can happen,” Mithali Raj said.

“However, being optimistic, I think this is a good time to work on my strength. Maybe, when you see me playing the World Cup, maybe I am a little faster than I was in 2017. You can add that line in the commentary box. 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 added.

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