While the speculations are high about the future of her international career, India’s Test and ODI captain Mithali Raj is all set to play for Railways at the Women’s Senior T20 Trophy. While the tournament has started on April 16, Railways will start its campaign on April 18 which will be her first competitive event since the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
However, along with Mithali Raj, the future of the veteran speedster Jhulan Goswami has been a subject of debate since Team India’s early exit from the ICC Cricket World Cup last month. While Jhulan is currently recovering from a side strain that she had sustained during the mega event, Mithali will feature for Railways in the ongoing tournament and also groom the next generation of players in the team.
“Mithali will be there to guide the younger players. As a senior player, she understands her role really well. Anyway, she never misses domestic assignments when not on national duty,” a BCCI source has said to PTI.
Mithali Raj, who is the leading run-getter in international cricket, had led the Railways team to the title in the T20 competition last year. She announced her retirement from the T20I format in 2019. However, she continues to play in Tests and ODIs. And, the source added: “There is no international cricket lined up in the near future. She has a lot of time to think over her future.”
Meanwhile, India’s next confirmed international series is in September when they will play three T20Is and as many ODIs in England after the Commonwealth Games in July-August as well. However, most of the players who were part of India’s World Cup squad will take part in the domestic event which is taking place in a bio-bubble across six venues. Notably, alongside Mithali Raj, Team India’s T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur too will be there.
On the other hand, the BCCI has recently refused to give NOC to a few leading Indian players for the Fairbreak Invitational in Dubai as it wanted them to be available for the Women’s T20 Trophy and also the following Women’s T20 Challenge which will take place alongside the IPL play-offs as well.
