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India ODI captain Mithali Raj completely understands the frustration of overseas internationals on overlapping of T20 Challenge and WBBL dates however firmly believes that BCCI “did its best” to slot in the four-match event in these uncommon COVID-19 occasions. While the overseas gamers, led by Australian star participant Alyssa Healy, questioned the timing of the exhibition video games as it’s clashing with the WBBL, the BCCI was additionally criticised for not going forward with the ladies’s tour of England in September.
Asked about her ideas on the 2 topics, Mithali spoke her thoughts. “People have a tendency to guage shortly. The BCCI president (Sourav Ganguly), secretary (Jay Shah) and IPL GC chief (Brijesh Patel) have been very encouraging in direction of girls’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 advised PTI throughout an unique interview.
On feedback of high internationals like Healy, Suzie Bates, Rachel Haynes expressing their displeasure, the Indian legend tried placing issues into perspective.
“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)”.
“But these are unusual circumstances, the window (tentatively November 1-10) was a short one and the BCCI did the best it could.”
The announcement final week ended months of uncertainty for the Indian gamers whose 2021 World Cup preparations have been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The workforce has not performed for the reason that T20 World Cup ultimate in March. The WBBL is scheduled from October 17 to November 29 whereas T20 Challenge video games in Dubai will probably be held from November 1-10.
“It (their frustration) is understandable. They (foreign players) also want to be part of the event. I too want the best players in the league”.
“But the situation is not normal. Right now, there is hardly any sporting activity in India and to have the matches before the men’s IPL, it would require players to be in match mode. We are yet to start training”.
“My own state has just allowed the opening of gyms. So for me to get match ready will take time. The BCCI has given us that window and we will have to work around it this year,” stated the main run-getter in ODI cricket.
Healy is from Australia and Bates from New Zealand, among the many least affected nations from the pandemic. “They did not have to change the calendar (in Australia for WBBL) but we needed to owing to the pandemic. The IPL could not be organised in April-May”. She urged the likes of Healy and Bates to grasp the scenario.
“Even if we were to shift the Women’s Challenge to September, the girls would not be ready. Australia and New Zealand players have had more time than us to start their preparations for the season. Nobody understands this but are quick to judge”.
With the World Cup not distant, Mithali feels the video games within the UAE will even give the home gamers a much-needed alternative.
It appeared the pullout from England tour would severely hamper India’s World Cup preparations however Mithali stated the workforce is prone to play 4 collection earlier than the showpiece occasion (in opposition to South Africa, West Indies, Australia and New Zealand topic to the COVID-19 scenario at the moment).”
Mithali last played for India in November last year against the West Indies. “More than the T20 Challenge video games, I’m relieved to have some cricket beginning. That provides hope to different gamers to stay up for coaching and plan the season and never be in that unsure mode”.
“We have 4 collection scheduled earlier than World Cup however we’re but to get the dates. When the England tour acquired cancelled, gamers confronted lots of uncertainty and if there may be nothing forward you do not what know you put together for. So the information of staging the IPL video games is far wanted”.
Mithali has been following a customised fitness plan at home for the past three months and has now started with high intensity training after the government allowed access to sports complex.
How much will she and her team need to regain full fitness? “Well for starters, from what I heard we’re going to have a camp someday in September-October. That ought to assist the workforce to re-group and assess themselves and accordingly plan forward for the approaching collection”.
Having reached the final in 2017, India are expected to go all the way in 2021 and lift their maiden ICC trophy.
The pandemic has negatively impacted their plans but Mithali said the team’s goal remains to win the tournament.
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Asked if the forced break due to the pandemic has changed her mind about her future, Mithali, a great of women’s cricket, added: “My plans for the time being are solely focused on the ODI World Cup.”
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