Return of the Raj

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With the selectors bowling a googly by reinstating Mithali Raj as the Indian women’s cricket team captain for the forthcoming England series next month, the onus is on the Hyderabadi to make it count.

Mithali, who last donned the captain’s hat in 2008, feels the current crop of players are raring to prove themselves. “It’s a new lot for me. From the year 2008 to now, the team has undergone a lot of changes. Most of the players in the team have played under me in the domestic competitions. But leading them in the national team will be a new experience. The team is keen to do well,” Mithali said.

Mithali will also have city mate Gouher Sultana in the squad on tour. “She (Gouher) has been a consistent performer for us, and can be a handful,” said Mithali. The skipper believes that the conditions in England pose a tough test for her side. “It is always a challenge to take on England in their own backyard. They are one of the best teams in the world,” Mithali said. “However, we have a side that is capable of upsetting them. Most of the players have had a feel of the pitches there during the quadrangular series last year,” she added.

According to the batswoman, India’s bowling is its biggest plus. “We have one of the best bowling attacks. The challenging part for us has been our batting. If we can tighten up that, then we will be a formidable unit,” opined the skipper. With the women’s Twenty20 World Cup scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka later this year, Mithali expects her team to peak at the right time. “If we perform to our potential, then I see no reason why we can’t come up with the goods,” she said.

Mithali, currently No.2 in the ICC women’s ODI rankings, seems to be taking it one game at a time and does not have any target in mind. “It’s an uncertain sport, and I don’t like to have any (targets),” said the right-hander, who has 4,196 runs to her credit from 135 ODIs.