Last Update: January 16, 2023, 07:24 AM IST
Mithali Raj last played a T20I match for India in 2019. (Reuters photo)
Mithali Raj played 89 T20 matches for India and scored 2,364 runs at an average of 37.52.
east India Captain Mithali Raj is all set to come out of retirement for the upcoming Women’s IPL, likely to be played from the first week of March. A lot of activity is happening ahead of the inaugural Women’s IPL and the names of the five participating teams are likely to be released in the last week of January.
The news of Mithali’s participation will surely boost the tournament as the veteran player has been the face of women’s cricket in India over the years. The classy right-hander had called it a day in June last year but had kept the women’s IPL option open even then.
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In a July 2022 conversation on ICC’s 100% Cricket podcast with former England player Isha Guha and former New Zealand off-spinner Frankie McKay, Mithali gave the first hint of coming out of retirement for the WIPL.
“I am keeping that option open. I haven’t decided yet. There are a few more months left for the Women’s IPL to happen. It would be nice to be a part of the first edition of the Women’s IPL,” Mithali had said.
The 40-year-old featured in 89 T20Is for the country and scored 2,364 runs at a healthy average of 37.52. He last played a T20I for India in 2019 against England at home. Mithali continued to play ODIs and Tests before retiring in June 2022.
Will Jhulan also come out of retirement?
Mithali’s presence will certainly be a good advertisement for the league and it could be a double delight if former India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami decides to do the same. Jhulan, who led India’s bowling for two decades, last played for the country in 2022 in an overseas series against England.
Responding to a question then, Jhulan kept mum about her participation in WIPL and focused on her journey with the Indian cricket team.
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“As of now, I have not decided as the official announcement of the Women’s IPL has not been made yet. We hope that it can come in the coming season. Wait for the official announcement and then I will decide. Right now I am ending my career in international cricket. I have enjoyed every time,” Jhulan had said.
Both Mithali and Jhulan have served Indian cricket for over two decades and have established a strong connect with fans not only in India but across the world. As per the latest reports, eight IPL teams have shown interest in buying teams for WIPL and the next few weeks are going to be very interesting.
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