Mithali Raj Open to Either Play or Mentor in Women’s IPL
Ever since the Board of Control for Cricket in India has spoken about the Women’s IPL, there have been questions about which players will participate in the tournament. Mithali Raj who earlier this year in March took retirement from international cricket has been asked several times about her participation status. She had previously mentioned the possibility but now has given a clear statement on this.
There are several significant advancements in women’s cricket. The inaugural U-19 Women’s World Cup will take place the following year as well. In addition, the BCCI has declared that centrally contracted cricketers for both men’s and women’s teams will get similar match money. Raj spoke about all this and more in conversation with PTI.
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Mithali Raj speaks about her Women’s IPL participation
She said, “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.”
Furthermore, Mithali Raj opened up on her wish to try her hand at commentary. She said, currently it was difficult for her to disassociate with the feelings of a player. Additionally, she was still trying to understand how this side of the game worked. “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 added.
The inaugural edition of the Women’s IPL in most likelihood will commence with 5 teams in 2023. It will take place in the month of March before the men’s IPL. However, the details on when and how the tournament will proceed are still under wraps. Roger Binny, the new BCCI president has mentioned that the procedure and further details will be available after the next meeting, probably after the end of the T20 World Cup.
