….plans to retire from T20Is after current World T20

By Brij Parasnath
MITHALI Raj, India’s One Day Internationals world record holder, produced another sterling batting performance that helped her team maintain their unbeaten streak in the current Women World T20 competition.

The attractive right-hander compiled a match-winning 56 that piloted India to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their dramatic Group B second round encounter at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on Sunday.

Following a question from this correspondent as to what motivates her to keep going in this demanding T20 format after their wonderful performance at the ICC Women’s World Cup (50-overs) competition last year when they reached the final but lost to England at Lords, India’s most decorated woman cricketer made her feelings known that the current 2018 edition will probably be her final ICC Women’s World T20 competition.

The 35-year-old, who represented India in a record 194 ODIs and amassed a world record 6,373 runs, expressed the pride of donning national colours and the need to help the younger players settle into their senior team and be fully ready for the demands of the game at the highest levels.

She remarked that: “I see that representing the country is the biggest motivation and inspiration, no matter how many years you spend there (playing at the highest level) wearing the India colours.”
“But yes, when you also think that the team has gone through a lot of transition, and there are a lot of youngsters in the side, so at some point, more than myself, whether I would be able to give the best or not.”

“There are times when I think about the team, whether it is the right time to move forward, and I believe that now the team is settling, so it could probably be the last World Cup for me, the WT20 format,” added the former national captain who smiled and kept her full intentions a secret communiqué (her innermost thoughts) for another time.

Despite all the drama of the penalty runs deducted from the Pakistan’s team, Raj and her very talented opening partner, Smite Mandan, resumed their partnership at the top of the order after a strategic change in the opening encounter against the powerful New Zealand team that comprised many celebrated world stars in their line-up, including T20Is world aggregate record holder, Suzie Bates and Captain Amy Satherwaite.

Raj did not get to bat after her younger counterparts, especially new captain Harmanpreet Kaur who demolished the Kiwis bowling attack with a majestic 103 set a wonderful tone to the first ever standalone Women WorldT20 competition. India registered a convincing 34-run win that will ensure a semi-final place should they continue their winning streak.
Back at the top as opener, Raj and Mandhana (26 runs, 3x4s off 28 balls) posted 73 runs for the first wicket after 9.3 overs. She was dismissed with only eight runs needed to maintain their supremacy over Pakistan in global competitions.

Raj revealed the decision behind the tactics employed in the first match. She said “Well, that has always been my role of an opener in the team. It’s just that, maybe, because it was a big team (New Zealand) we were playing in the first game, and we wanted somebody (reliable player) in the middle order. So experience does play a role when you want to push yourself down in the middle order.”

“I think today they felt that because there are spinners in the Pakistan side, and it would be wise (for her) to open. So, I opened the innings for India.”
Having notched her 16th T20Is fifty and second highest individual career total, Raj spoke about being focussed on the ball and playing each on its merit while building a solid platform for victory.

Raj said: “I think as an opener, I don’t think too much how to go about it. But as a batter, you would want to focus on the ball and play with instinct.”
“Batting is all about instincts. You don’t plan and go there (batting on pitch) because obviously the opponents have a different plan. And if you only want to stick to your plan, there is obviously a downfall. So as a batter, my focus is only on to watch the ball and play instinctively, whether it is an aggressive shot or walking out for a single.”

Raj struck seven delightful fours during her match-winning innings. She was dismissed going for the eighth, brilliantly caught by a diving Nida Dar at the wide mid-wicket region. The spectacular catch ended her excellent display but she was satisfied that she provided her team more energy and confidence for the upcoming matches.

Commenting on the five newcomers in the Indian team, Raj said: “We have some younger players who are settling into the team and it gives me motivation to help them understand and play the game better. I am happy with their progress and that is good for our team in the future.”