Understand foreign stars frustration but BCCI did its best in the current situation: Mithali Raj

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India ODI captain Mithali Raj said that she understands the frustration of foreign internationals on the overlapping of the T20 Challenge and WBBL dates. However, she firmly believes that BCCI “did its best” to fit in the four-match tournament in these unusual COVID-19 times.

While the foreign players, headed by Australian star player Alyssa Healy quarreled the timing of the exhibition games as it is clashing with the WBBL, the BCCI was also criticized for not going ahead with the women’s tour of England in September.

The India women’s ODI captain also raised her voice against the people who were stating that the Indian board is neglecting women’s cricket.

Raj has welcomed the board’s decision and stated that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and other officials had always worked to encourage women’s cricket and people should not judge quickly.

“People tend to judge quickly. The BCCI president (Sourav Ganguly), secretary (Jay Shah), and IPL GC chief (Brijesh Patel) have been very encouraging towards women’s cricket. I personally thought we may not even get to play the Challenger trophy (domestic event) because even the men’s IPL was in doubt but these games are most welcome,” Mithali told PTI during an exclusive interview.

Mithali Raj on overlapping T20 Challenge and WBBL dates

The Indian veteran has explained the Indian board’s decision, stating that they did their best.

“I know a lot of people (foreign players) have questioned the timing of it but these are not normal circumstances. Normally, the IPL happens in April-May and doesn’t collide with WBBL (in Australia)”. Raj said.

Also read: “Very much on” – BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on Women’s IPL

“But these are unusual circumstances, the window (tentatively November 1-10) was a short one and the BCCI did the best it could.” she added.

Mithali also said that Team India is hoping to play four bilateral series but the dates have not been emptied.

“We have four series scheduled before the World Cup but we are yet to get the dates. When the England tour got cancelled, players faced a lot of uncertainty and if there is nothing ahead you don’t what know you prepare for. So the news of staging the IPL games is much needed,” Mithali said.

“Well for starters, from what I heard we are going to have a camp sometime in September-October. That should help the team to re-group and assess themselves and accordingly plan for the coming series,” she added.

So far, the Indian legend has played 209 ODIs and 89 T20Is, scoring 6888 and 2364 runs respectively. She has retired from T20I and Test cricket but leads the women’s team in the 50-over format.

Also read: “Didn’t know I was in the list”, Mithali Raj on ‘Makers India Women’s Pioneer List