Women's Cricket | Mithali Raj bats for U-19 and U-21 World Cups for emerging cricketers
Mithali Raj has expressed her opinion of organizing U-19 and U-21 World Cups for the emerging players as it would bring in more girls into the game and give them a target to aim for. The ODI skipper also spoke in favour of organizing an IPL for women after previously rejecting the idea.
The Indian eves have fast established themselves as one of the sides to look out for in world women’s cricket. And the biggest reason for that has been the upcoming Gen Y cricketers like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemima Rodrigues, Ekta Bisht and more. And Raj opined that organizing U-19 and U-21 World Cups could help the cause further for every side.Â
“It will be important because every country is looking forward to getting more girls to play the sport. And if you have another World Cup, of say Under-19 or Under-21, it gives an opportunity for young girls to compete at that level because there’s something to look forward to.
“Someone who’s playing U-19, they have to straightaway aim for the senior level. That’s a long shot. Very few are able to make it. For the rest who don’t make it, at least they have another shot at playing or representing their country at the World Cup (at the juniors level),” said Raj, reported PTI.
When the idea of IPL was first introduced for the women cricketers, Raj had surprisingly objected it. However, the 36-year-old justified her reasons this time and went on to explain why she thought now would be the perfect time for it to happen.
“I felt that (way) before the ODI World Cup. At that point of time the players’ identity as individual players was not as big as the ODI World Cup where people started to understand what is Indian women’s cricket and who all play for the team,” said Mithali ahead of the second ODI against England.
“Now since a year or two people have gone beyond 2-3 players. They recognise other players in the squad and now is the right time to get in IPL because T20 is also a format that ICC is looking to promote in women’s cricket,” added Mithali.
Mithali also discussed the advantages of having A tours for the Indian eves explaining that it would give tremendous exposure to the players.Â
“We also have India A tour. I’m sure there is one in the near future. If we have more of that and we can give an opportunity to the second string, not just playing versus the visiting teams, but also tours abroad to Australia or New Zealand. That exposure will help them immensely,” she remarked.
