Mithali keeps her options open for player or mentor in women’s IPL
Former India captain Mithali Raj is keeping her options open to become a player, mentor or team owner in next year’s women’s IPL (Indian Premier League) tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced that the inaugural season of the women’s IPL will be held in March next year, ahead of the men’s IPL.
Mithali said in an interview to ‘PTI-Bhasha’ on Tuesday, “I am keeping my options open for my role in this league, be it as a player or in some way associated with a franchise. Mithali, who said goodbye to international cricket earlier this year, said, “Nothing is clear yet though. There are five teams in the league. How these teams will be selected, will be bid for it or it will be decided by auction. Till there is no concrete information, I am keeping all my options open.
Mithali recently made her debut as a commentator and she called it “interesting”. “I am looking at cricket from a very different perspective. I can feel the excitement of the matches up close. I can still feel the emotions of a player.
When asked what more needs to be done to promote women’s cricket after the board’s move, Mithali said that nothing will change overnight and there is time for everything. “Right now everyone should appreciate the things that are improving in women’s cricket. That move be it match fees, women’s IPL and the first season of the Women’s Under-19 World Cup next year. Perhaps these steps will bring more change.” Mithali said she is working on her autobiography and is looking at releasing it mid-next year.
