Mithali Raj on T20 Cricket: The Ever-Changing Demands and Women’s Perspective

Image source:Hindustan Times

Mithali Raj, a former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, and one of the most prominent names in women’s cricket, has shared her thoughts on the ever-evolving demands of T20 cricket, the role of impact players, and the most impressive uncapped cricketers. In an interview with SheSight Magazine, Mithali, who has represented India in 89 T20Is and has scored 2364 runs, becoming the only Indian woman cricketer to average more than 30 in T20Is, discussed the strike rate and average in T20 cricket. She stressed that both strike rate and average are crucial, and maintaining a balance between them is necessary.

Mithali also shared her views on the impact of the Impact Player rule in cricket, stating that it has reduced the role of an all-rounder to a certain extent. She added that the Impact Player rule has both pros and cons, and how wisely the team uses it is essential.

When asked about the ideal approach to batting in the middle overs of a T20, Mithali stated that it is determined by how strong the team’s middle-order is. If the middle-order is strong, the team can go all-out even after the first six overs. But if the middle-order is inconsistent, the team should try to play until the end and maximize the start they have got.

Mithali also discussed the bowling strategies in T20 cricket, emphasizing that taking wickets is essential in any format, and slowing down the run-scoring rate is equally important. Mithali believes that Impact Players have given teams an extra cushion and help control the damage, but it does not affect captaincy skills.

Mithali Raj’s thoughts provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving nature of T20 cricket, the role of impact players, and the significance of maintaining a balance between strike rate and average in T20 cricket.

Re-reported from the story originally published in Hindustan Times