Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Former India captain credits BCCI and Jay Shah for the remarkable transformation in women’s cricket
Legendary Indian cricketer Mithali Raj has praised the efforts of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in transforming women’s cricket after receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the board’s recent annual awards ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Mithali Raj expressed gratitude to the many people who supported her throughout her long and successful cricket career. She acknowledged that apart from her parents, several coaches, teammates, and mentors played an important role in shaping her journey in international cricket.
Mithali highlighted the rapid growth of women’s cricket in recent years and credited BCCI for playing a crucial role in this transformation. According to her, the strong support and initiatives taken by the board have significantly elevated the profile of women’s cricket in India.
During her illustrious 23-year international career, Mithali represented India in 12 Tests, 232 One-Day Internationals, and 89 T20 Internationals. She retired from international cricket in 2022 and remains one of the highest run-scorers in the history of women’s international cricket.
The former India captain also praised Jay Shah for his vision and commitment toward developing the women’s game. She said that the remarkable transformation seen in the Indian women’s cricket team over the past four to five years is largely due to his efforts and leadership. Mithali added that Jay Shah has worked tirelessly not only to strengthen women’s cricket in India but also to promote the game globally.
She also expressed pride in the recent achievements of Indian cricket across different levels. Mithali noted that over the last few years, India’s men’s team, women’s team, and even the under-19 boys’ and girls’ teams have delivered impressive performances, making it a proud moment for former cricketers and fans alike.
Recalling her playing days, Mithali also spoke about the inspiration she received from legendary Indian batters Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. She shared that interactions with them at training centers like the National Cricket Academy helped her improve her batting and gain valuable insights about the game.
Mithali concluded by praising the current generation of women cricketers, saying they are playing fearless cricket and consistently bringing trophies to the country, reflecting the remarkable evolution of women’s cricket in India.