Former India captain Mithali Raj opens up on un-retiring with women’s IPL in sight

Mithali Raj earlier this year announced that she is retiring from all international formats. The former Indian captain ended her two-decade long  career with a record 7805 runs in 232 ODIs. She also represented India in 12 Tests and 89 T20 Internationals.

However, the 39-year-old might just un-retire. 

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In an interview with ICC, Raj said that she would love to play in the inaugural edition of the Women’s IPL. The BCCI plans to launch the tournament from next year onwards.

Raj last played an international game in March 2022, when India locked horns with South Africa. She was rested for the Women’s T20 Challenge 2022. 

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Talking about her plans to participate in the women’s IPL, Raj said that she is keeping the option open and hasn’t decided anything yet.

“I’m keeping that option open. I’ve not yet decided. There are a few more months to go before the women’s IPL happens. It would be lovely to be part of the first edition of the women’s IPL,” Raj said on ICC’s 100% Cricket podcast.

Mithali Raj had retired from the T20I format in September 2019. She hung boots, from all formats, after India’s ODI World Cup campaign ended. 

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The former India captain praised opener Shafali Verma for having the ability to win games single-handedl.

“I have been a big fan of her game. I have seen that she’s one player who has the ability to win the game single-handedly for India against any attack and any team. She is one of those players that you get to see probably once in a generation,” Raj said. 

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“When I saw Shafali in a domestic match when she played against Indian Railways, she scored a fifty but I could see a glimpse of a player who could change the entire match just with her innings. And when she played for Velocity in the first edition of the Challenger Trophy, she played for my team and I saw that she has the ability and the raw power that you rarely get to see at that age to clear the boundary and hit a six at will,” she said.