Mithali Raj Open To Being A Mentor, Player Or Even Owning A Team In Upcoming Women’s IPL

Legendary Indian women’s cricketer Mithali Raj recently made her debut as a commentator in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and has shown interest in either playing, mentoring, or even owning a team in the upcoming Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) which is slated to begin next year.

Raj, announced her retirement from the game after the ICC Women’s World Cup earlier this year and has left behind a rich legacy that will inspire other young girls to take up the sport. She made a record 7805 runs in 232 WODIs with 7 centuries and 64 fifties to her name from 1999-2022. She also played 12 Tests, scoring 699 runs with a best of 214 and in 89 T20I games, Mithali made 2364 runs with a best of 97* and 17 half-centuries.

Recently in a chat with PTI, Mithali Raj said that she is keeping her options open for the women’s IPL tournament slated next year — player or mentor or even owning a team.

“I am keeping that role open, whether as a player or in a franchise in some way as a mentor. But right now, nothing is clear, there are five teams…how they are going to do, whether it’s a bidding or auction, so until there is some concrete information, I am keeping pretty much all things open,” Mithali told PTI.

Asked if owning a team is an option, she said, “Maybe, yes”.

I Am Just Testing The Waters And Watching Cricket From A Very Different Optics: Mithali Raj On Her Commentary Stint

Mithali Raj was a welcome addition to the Star Sports studio commentary panel for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and the ace former cricketer has said that she is only testing the waters if she is made for commentary as after retirement, she is looking at cricket from a whole new perspective. Mithali recently made her debut as a commentator and termed it an “interesting phase”.

“I am watching cricket from a very different optics. I still do feel the nerves if it’s a tight game. I still have to cross that barrier of not feeling those emotions of a player. I am just testing the waters if I am apt for commentary. Maybe after a few months, I will see if I still have keenness to pursue it,” she said.

Mithali said she is working on her autobiography and is looking at releasing it in the middle of next year.

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