Monday, 05 July 2021 | PTI | Worcester
Shortly after she had let her bat do all the talking amid criticism of her strike rate, record-breaking Indian women’s team skipper Mithali Raj hit back at her detractors, saying “I don’t seek validation from people” after playing for so long.
Mithali on Saturday became the highest run-getter in women’s cricket across formats while guiding India to a four-wicket win over England in the third and final ODI here.
As the discussion turned to the criticism around her strike rate at the post-match press conference, she responded strongly.
“I do read that the criticism is about my strike rate, but as I have said earlier also, I don’t seek validation from people. I’ve played for a long time and I know that I have a certain responsibility in the team,” Mithali said.
She made an unbeaten 75 off 86 balls.
“I don’t look to please people. I’m here to play the role that is assigned to me by the team management. When you’re chasing a target you pick your bowlers, you pick your length, you pick the areas.
“Because I’m in good flow, I need to make the best use of me in the middle and the entire batting unit revolves around me,” said Mithali.
The ODI skipper said she only follows the instructions of the team management.
Mithali surpassed former England batter Charlotte Edwards’ record for most runs when she went past 10,273.
Despite playing International cricket for over two decades, Mithali said her hunger for runs remains the same as she looks to add “new dimensions” to her batting.
“The way things have gone it wasn’t an easy journey. It had its trials and challenges. I always believed that trials have a purpose,” she said about her journey that started in Milton Keynes against Ireland on June 26, 1999.
“There were times when I wanted to give up for various reasons but something kept me going and here I am — 22 years of International cricket — but the hunger for runs have never sort of dried up.
“I am still very passionate to go out there, be there in the middle and win games for India. I know there is still room for improvements in terms of my batting and that is something I am working on… There are certain dimensions I would like to add to my batting…” she said.
