The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Bowled over by the sheer beauty of the willow

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 07, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Bowled over by the sheer beauty of the willow

DANCE ON THE PITCH: Mithali Raj

For Mithali Raj, one of the most articulate faces of Indian sport, recognition did not come overnight. The ace woman cricketer shares her thoughts with V.V. Subrahmanyam

"I still remember the days when I and only two or three girls used to train at the nets while all the others were boys," recalls the Indian women's cricket team captain about the days of adversity when women cricketers struggled even to find sponsors even for kit bags.

And, Mithali did face stiff opposition from her relatives for taking up a sport which neither had the glamour, respect nor money in it. "But for the sheer love of it I pursued it as a career thanks to the full support of my parents," says the South Central Railway employee. Looking back, Mithali, now preparing for the Afro-Asia Cup match in Bangalore next month, says that her world record score of 214 against England in 2002 changed her career completely.

"People may not recognise me (for want of television coverage) but I am happy they know me by my name," says a smiling Mithali. "And I have to be very conscious of my dressing style for people look at how I carry on myself," she adds.

The women's cricket team captain does believe that the best phase of women's cricket was between 2005 and 2006 when India entered the final of the World Cup in Johannesburg, won the first-ever Test series in England and then beat world champions New Zealand at home.

"I do sincerely believe that the sport should have a bright future with more international and domestic tournaments after the merger with BCCI," she asserts. Better than what a women's cricketer got Rs. 2,000 for Test and Rs. 2,500 for ODI appearances.

On Koneru Humpy and Sania Mirza? "I feel it a privilege and honour to be a contemporary of these two great individuals. And honestly, no complaints. I am happy with whatever I am," she added.

Even if she were not to be a cricketer wielding the willow fetching her 2,776 runs from 93 ODIs at an average of 45.50, which is better than most of the big guns of Indian men's cricket, Mithali still would have enthralled the spectators with her classical dancing.

"I would have loved to be a great dancer. I learnt dance first but now I spend more time playing cricket," she recalls.

On her role model Sachin Tendulkar? "I feel we should leave it to him to judge whether to continue or not. Personally, I would love to see him bat at his attacking best and not like the way he is batting presently. But I believe these are temporary phases in any great cricketer's life," she says.

Mithali loves to spend time reading inspirational books. She had already read twice the autobiography of cycling legend Lance Armstrong. Now she is busy reading `Indian Summers' penned by former India coach John Wright. No better way to keep oneself busy. Isn't it?

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