At 31 years and 256 days, Mithali Raj does not know how many more years of international cricket is left in her but Indian women’s cricket team captain is “happy” to have played at least one more Test before she called time on her illustrious career.
“When we won the last Test back in 2006 (in Taunton), we were told that we were not going to play any more Test matches. I don’t know how many more years of cricket is left in me but I am happy that I have played one more Test match before hanging my boots,” an emotional skipper Mithali said at the post match presentation even as her teammates cheered her on.
Mithali has played only nine Tests but have played 148 ODIs and 46 Twenty20 Internationals.
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“As a cricketer, you would always want to play more number of Test matches as it tests all areas of one’s game, including mental aspect. I remember when I used to be in the reserves as a 17-year-old back in 1999, I would get excited during a Test match,” she recalled.
While the England’s women cricketers come under ECB’s central contract system, the Indian captain hopes that such performances on foreign soil will help them prepare a case for the BCCI.
“If you look at the England women’s team, they have won World Cup, Women’s Ashes and are now centrally contracted to the ECB. Hopefully, more such Test wins will make BCCI think of including us under the central contract,” Mithali said.
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She is one of three members in the current squad, besides Karuna Jain and Jhulan Goswam, who played in India’s last Test in Taunton back in 2006, which also they had won.
“Well, that was a win where we had a lot of senior players and it was a settled side. We had played as a bunch for some years and England team at that time was going through rebuilding phase. It’s different now as England are a settled side and we had eight debutants. It was important for seniors like us to guide them,” she explained.
Having anchored the team with a nice half-century, Mithali was asked if she was battling nerves on the final day and she said “yes“.
“Initially, I was nervous as you don’t want to lose wickets in the first session. It was important for me and Shikha (Pandey) to stick on. As we inched towards victory, it became a bit easier,” she said.
On a lighter note, Mithali spoke about how important it was to win the toss as they bowled out England for 92 on the first day.
“Look, no one gives me credit for winning the toss,” she laughed amidst loud chuckles from teammates.
“I am known for losing tosses and this was an important toss to win,” she said.