Mithali Raj in her recent interview to Times of India, she spoke about about the secret to her long career, lockdown, motivating factor and a lot more.
Talking about her longevity, Mithali Raj said that she plays according to the situation and never really planned her career.
“Honestly, I never planned my career just like I don’t plan my innings. Of course, I play according to the situation and so I kind of know something but my career was different. There were times that I was almost on the verge of giving up and taking a retirement. There were a few occasions where I thought that I should call it quits but always there was something that stopped me from doing that. I just went with the flow as and when things happened and played series after series. If I actually had to plan my career, 21 years is a long time to do it.
“To follow a habit for 21 years is a big thing. I just felt that if I have to play international cricket then I have to be at my optimum best and that is something that I have always believed in and also in consistency. No matter which phase of my career, every game has mattered to me. When walking into bat, I have always looked to perform well,” she said.
When asked about her retirement, Mithali Raj said that her focus right now is on the World Cup and doing well there is her only goal.
“I don’t plan anything. Right now my focus is on the World Cup and doing well in it is my goal. After that maybe play a few series but I don’t know what exactly. I wake up every morning with the aim of playing my best and that is something which helps me to get through the day,” she said.
She added that playing in the World Cup is something that motivates her. She had a long career and led India into two fifty-over World Cup final. However, the team couldn’t lift the trophy. She said that 2021 World Cup is something she is looking forward to and will give her best to go one step further.
She also said that she is glad with the works BCCI have done in the past two years, especially, with the domestic circuit.
“All these years, we struggled as there were no back up for injured players. But now youngsters can fill in as they are already touring and getting experience and that really helps,” she concluded.
