“I’m not looking for validation from people,” says Mithali Raj on criticism of his strike rate

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Shortly after letting her bat do all the talk amid criticism of her strike rate, the record-breaking Indian women’s team skipper Mithali Raj hit back at her critics by saying “I don’t not looking for validation from people “after playing for so long.

Mithali emerged on Saturday as the top female cricket passer in all formats while guiding India to a four-wicket victory over England in the third and final ODI here.

As the discussion turned to criticism of her strike rate in the post-match press conference, she reacted strongly.

Also Read | Hunger to win matches for India still there, adding new batting dimensions ahead of WC 2022: Mithali Raj

“I read that the review is about my strike rate, but like I said earlier also, I don’t seek validation from people. I’ve been playing for a long time and I know I have some responsibility in the team, ”Mithali said during the virtual press conference.

She made 75 undefeated balls out of 86 balls.

“I’m not trying to please people. I’m here to play the role assigned to me by team management. When you chase a target, you choose your bowlers, you choose your length, you choose the zones. .

“Because I’m in a good flow, I have to make the best use of myself in the middle and the whole batting unit revolves around me,” Mithali said.

The ODI skipper said she was only following the instructions of the team management.

Read also | Cricketer Mithali Raj breaks stereotypes, records: a look at her exploits

“This is the job given to me by the coach and I can’t wait not to get bogged down because at some point I know that the first order is already in the canoe and it was important for me to understand the situation and how I can maneuver and try to get the game as close as possible with the hitters that are yet to come. “

Mithali surpassed former England hitter Charlotte Edwards’s record for most points when she passed 10,273.

Despite playing international cricket for more than two decades, Mithali said her thirst for racing remained the same as she sought to add “new dimensions” to her bat.

“The way things went was not an easy journey. He had his trials and challenges. I always believed that trials had a purpose,” she said of her course that started in Milton Keynes against Ireland on June 26, 1999.

“There were times when I wanted to give up for a variety of reasons, but something kept me going and here I am – 22 years of international cricket – but the hunger for races has never dried up.

Read also | I wanted to be there and win the match for the team: Mithali

“I’m still very passionate about going there, being there in the middle and winning games for India. I know there is still room for improvement in terms of hitting and that’s something. thing I’m working on … There are certain dimensions I would like to add to my stick … “she said.

Mitahli, who retired from T20 cricket in 2019, has previously hinted that next year’s ODI World Cup, which will be held in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3, could be his final hurray.

“The pursuit gives me a better feel for building an inning with other hitters in the middle. I’m able to control the play. It really worked for me and also to have young girls on the team,” it helps guide them when you’re in the middle. “

Mithali praised all-rounder Sneh Rana, with whom she shared a precious 50-race stand for the seventh wicket on Saturday, and said she had a bright future.

“I have to give Sneh Rana credit because this partnership was very crucial. Definitely, in this niche we’ve always been looking for someone who has the punches to clear the field, strong punches all around and it helps to have a player who can also play bowling.

She expects her assistant and T20 skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to be in good shape soon.

“It happens with any player,” Mithali said of Kaur’s skinny patch.

“Sometimes you’re just not in good shape. But as a team and as a unit, we support the players who have won games. We also know that on her own she won games. for us with her sleeves. This time around she needs the support of the team to back her up. “

She also supported the young Jemmimah Rodrigues to get back in shape.

“A young player – obviously she (Rodrigues) will take time. It’s just a matter of experience and exposure for players like her.

“When a player is going through bad form, as (teammates), senior players and team management, we can give them confidence and support, but it comes down to the player himself to have that conviction to come out of the game. (bad) shape. “

Mithali said the victory in the third ODI bodes well for the team entering the three-game T20 series, which begins on July 9.

“Yeah, that’s a confidence booster because that’s what I told the girls, I said – we’re still on the show. Winning a game like this puts pressure on them. going into the T20s, the whole unit should be confident. “

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