It’s been 21 years and I know 2022 World Cup is my swansong: Mithali Raj
Veteran Indian women’s cricketer and ODI captain Mithali Raj has revealed that the 2022 Women’s World Cup will be her “swansong” after a 23-year long career in international cricket.
One of the finest cricketers on the world stage, 38-year-old Raj has the record of most runs (7098), most centuries (7), most half-centuries (62), and most games (214 ODIs) in Women’s 50-over cricket.
Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, she admitted that India needs some good seamers for the quick and bouncy tracks of New Zealand, where the tournament is scheduled to be held.
I know 2022 is my swansong: Mithali Raj
Speaking about her future during the virtual launch of the book ‘1971: The Beginning of India’s Cricketing Greatness’, published by Harper Collins and co-authored by Boria Majumdar and Gautam Bhattacharya, Mithali said,
“It’s been 21 years of international cricket and I know 2022 is my swansong, The World Cup. The last year is equal to the 20 years of my international cricket.”
Mithali spoke about how she had to keep herself motivated during the pandemic which pushed the marquee tournament by one year.
“I know we are in difficult times but it takes a lot out of me to keep working on my fitness. I am not getting any younger, in fact, I am getting older and I know the importance of fitness,” Mithali said.
“The importance of being in a very good emotional and mental set-up, knowing that there will be very few tours before the World Cup.” India is set for the away tours in England, Australia, and New Zealand and a home series against West Indies scheduled in between.
“Every tour (from now on) is important for me as a batter as to how I am going to get the team to regroup and build a team for the World Cup,” she said.
“Yeah, I am very optimistic looking at the girls and in the manner they have been working with whatever facilities they have in these times and focus and enthusiasm that a series is coming up,” she added.
Mithali led India to the final of the 2017 World Cup in England. The next edition was delayed due to the pandemic.
