The Indian Women’s cricket team’s dream of winning the 50-over World Cup title has been extended by at least 3 more years as the Mithali Raj-led side crashed out from the league stage of the 2022 Women’s World Cup. Squaring off against South Africa in a must-win game, India lost on the final delivery of the fixture. SA scored the required 7 runs off the final over to scale the chase.
Following the defeat, Mithali was asked about her future with Team India. Before the start of the tournament, Mithali had said that she will retire after the ICC event. Answering the million-dollar question at a virtual press conference regarding her future, Mithali said: “You’ve not given me even an hour to think about my future, to go through and process what has just happened today.”
“When you have a disappointment and in the campaign which ends like this in a World Cup where you’ve really prepared very hard over a year, it takes time to accept and then probably move on from there. Whatever the future holds for each and every player, so I’ve not really thought about my future.”
Mithali has played 6 ODI World Cups so far and it remains to be seen if she continues to play the game or not. She had announced her retirement from T20I cricket in 2019.
The veteran skipper has enjoyed much success as Team India’s captain and led the team to 89 wins in 155 matches. Under him, India reached the final of 2005 and 2017 ODI World Cups.
India don’t have an international series lined up for now and the fans might have to wait for a while to get a clear picture regarding her future. The Indian women cricketers will next be seen in action in the Women’s T20 Challenger, which takes place in May.
England, Australia, West Indies and SA are 4 teams that will compete for the ICC title in the 2nd round, starting March 30. The final of the Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be played on April 3 in Christchurch.
