Mithali Raj concerned the development of the women's game has been set back by a couple of years

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Mithali Raj hopeful of winning her 'last' World Cup

Mithali Raj addresses the media. © Getty Images

Mithali Raj, India's ODI captain, expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic enforced break may have knocked back the growth of the women's game by at least two years. After the momentum and excitement that had built around the team following their performances in the last three ICC events, the veteran admitted, that much of it has now been lost.



“Unfortunately, women’s cricket may have been set back by a couple of years by this pandemic as some of the momentum that had been built between India’s success in World Cup 2017 and World T20 2020 has been lost,” the 37-year-old said during a webinar at the ‘Re-Setting the Sports Ecosystem: Opportunities in The New Normal World’ at FICCI FRAMES.



https://open.spotify.com/episode/6piGuLzIHGu1bKKHPlbZzm



However, Mithali said the Board of Control for Cricket in India has been proactive, agreeing to chalk up a "dedicated calendar" for the women's team.



“We have had discussions with BCCI to draw up a firm calendar for the Indian women’s team so that fans can regularly cheer for the team."



There have been talks about a potential tri-series in England - also involving South Africa - in September this year. The England and Wales Cricket board also expressed confidence that the series could take place in a bio-secure environment.



ALSO READ: Plans for tri-series progressing positively: ECB



Additionally, with all the clamour around a Women's IPL, the veteran, who has played in both seasons of the Women's T20 Challenge, said that while a four team even is a good idea, a full-fledged IPL is at least two to three years away.



“The plans have obviously been disrupted but we believe we can re-build quickly. I think a full-fledged Women’s IPL is still two-three years away but we would certainly look to have a fourth team in the Women’s Challenge that is played concurrently with the IPL,” she said.



https://open.spotify.com/episode/484PTeQYxjKUMnQdE9PXa6
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