India’s ODI captain Mithali Raj doesn’t look worried about the postponement of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 owing to the global pandemic novel COVID-19. She has said that she is “definitely looking” at the World Cup and her eyes are fixed on the trophy too.
After the virtual meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Business Corporation on Friday (August 7), the ICC has announced that the Women’s 50-over World Cup has been postponed to 2022 owing to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak across the globe. The mega event was scheduled to take place from February 6 to March 7 in New Zealand.
COVID-19 pandemic has brought the entire world into a standstill which postponed almost every sporting event around the world. The Indian Team has last played in the final of ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year where they lost to Australia.
“We have taken the decision to move the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup to give players from every competing nation, the best opportunity to be ready for the world’s biggest stage and there is still a global qualifier to complete to decide the final three teams,” Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said in a statement.
“There has been no women’s international cricket played since the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year and due to the varying impact of COVID-19 globally that is likely to remain the situation for a number of the teams,” he shared.
He further added, “Moving the event by 12 months gives all competing teams the chance to play a sufficient level of cricket ahead of both the qualification event and leading into a Cricket World Cup so the integrity of the tournament is maintained.”
While the news will help all the teams to prepare for the marquee event as they didn’t play for the last few months, this certainly made things worst for the senior Indian cricketers like Mithali and Jhulan Goswami. They both will be 39 when the 50-over World Cup takes place.
But Mithali Raj sees the positives in the World Cup postponement as she said that the goal remains same to win the trophy and the latest move will give them more time to prepare for the ICC tournament.
Raj tweeted: “There’s always a positive to take out of any situation, in this case too, I say more time for planning and preparations. Same vision, same goal #WorldCup2022”
There’s always a positive to take out of any situation , in this case too , I say more time for planning and preparations . Same vision , same goal #WorldCup2022 https://t.co/Cuq9kbQuA4
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) August 7, 2020
On the other hand, speedster Shikha Pandey too agreed with her captain’s views.
Gutted to know that the World Cup has been rescheduled. But, I guess, sometimes we have to step back and look at the bigger picture. Hope things get back to normal real soon. #hopeandstrength https://t.co/6PsBiZ92gZ
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) August 7, 2020
However, former Australia cricketer-turned-commentator Lisa Sthalekar tweeted and asked if the things will be the same for the senior players like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami and Rachael Haynes who were thinking about retirement post the World Cup.
“Whilst this is never great news to wake up to. I can understand the reasons why given the lack of cricket in some countries. I just hope those players who were planning to retire after the World Cup can hold on for one year…right Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami and Rachael Haynes,” she tweeted after ICC’s decision to postpone Women’s World Cup.
Whilst this is never great news to wake up to. I can understand the reasons why given the lack of cricket in some countries. I just hope those players who were planning to retire after the @cricketworldcup can hold on for one year…right @M_Raj03, @JhulanG10, @RachaelHaynes 😉 https://t.co/qskrnJNLqR
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 7, 2020
To that, Mithali Raj responded in a positive way. She replied, “Oh absolutely, my eyes are fixed firmly on the trophy. With all niggles recovered, mind and body fresh and stronger than before, I am definitely looking at World Cup 2022.”
Oh absolutely , my eyes are fixed firmly on the trophy 🏆. with all niggles recovered , mind and body fresh and stronger than before I am definitely looking at World Cup 2022 .
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) August 8, 2020
However, Lisa liked her reply who again tweeted, “Good to hear. Gives you more time to nail your high knees.”
Good to hear. Gives you more time to nail your high knees 😂🤣.
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 8, 2020
Mithali Raj had captained the Team India to the final of 2005 and 2017 50-over World Cup where they had faced the defeat both the times. The highest run-getter of Women’s Cricket has already retired from the shortest format of the game and also eyeing to win the World Cup as well.