Manuja Veerappa

“Home!” was the spontaneous reply from the Indian women’s cricket team skipper. Almost a month after the team’s runner-up finish at the ICC World Cup in London, Mithali Raj is yet to finish unpacking. Her time, like most of her teammates, is now divided between being guests on reality shows, giving motivational talks and attending felicitation functions across the country.

“In the last three weeks, every day I’m in a different city attending two or three events. I haven’t even got time to properly unpack after getting home from England. The girls are all are enjoying the attention they deserve. At some point of time, we will get back to training and competitive cricket,” the top-order bat told TOI on the sidelines of a promotional event on Sunday.

The Hyderabadi revealed that the team hadn’t anticipated the overwhelming appreciation and accolades for their performance and had to put their holiday plans on hold.

“In London, all of us planned our holidays and some of us were to go together. But now I don’t think we don’t have the time. We didn’t expect this kind of a reception and the acceptance of women’s cricket despite losing the final. People have been very positive. Wherever we go they have good things to say about women’s cricket. We’ve got such an amazing reception that I often wonder what it would have been like to come home as World champions. I’m sure it would have taken us to a different level,” said Mithali.

On sustaining the momentum, Mithali said: “From here on, whatever matches or tournaments we play internationally, it is important for the team to perform to the best of our ability.”

Mithali has decided not to play the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia until the T20 World Cup next year. Instead, she wants to build a stronger world-class team before she retires.

“I’m glad I saw this phase of Indian women’s cricket while I’m still playing. I will continue to play as long as I’m in good form. Also, I want to groom youngsters. I’ve always told my dad, whenever I quit, I should leave a strong and formidable team and not when they are weak.

“If India reach the top-two in rankings, then I’ll feel proud that I’ve got the team so far. I’m currently focusing on the World T20 next year, especially because we haven’t done well in that tournament before. The expectations will be high and I believe it is important for me to be there for the girls and guide them through it,” she added.