The key is to adjust well to the match conditions, says Mithali Raj

With the kind of hurdles that the COVID-19 has thrown to everybody, India ODI skipper Mithali Raj feels that if a player knows the roadmap well, it’s not very difficult to overcome them. “If one knows the roadmap, it is not very difficult to handle the current challenges. It would be all about adjusting and being mentally strong,” Mithali was quoted as saying to Hindustan Times.

India last played an international match on March 8 in the T20 World Cup final at MCG. While the likes of Mithali and Jhulan Goswami weren’t a part of it, they had their domestic commitments in the senior one-dayers, which stopped in the knockouts due to the pandemic.

“Moreover, all players have been following strict fitness regimes during the lockdown. The key is to adjust well to the match conditions and get together as a team. India team trainers have been monitoring player fitness and advising them during the break,” added the 37-year-old.

“My preparation is focused on getting back to normalcy; that would be getting back to the nets, getting the team together for the camps, chalking out a plan with the coach and players and concentrating on building momentum series by series, going step by step,” said Mithali.

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While everybody is disappointed with the 2021 World Cup being postponed to 2022, the veteran of 209 ODIs and 89 T20Is, stated one has to look at the brighter side of it. “The slot for the World Cup was in February and our domestic season will start only in October-November due to Covid-19. That would have meant we would have had just three months of preparation going into the World Cup.

“After a long break, the players have to start from scratch and will take some time to get into the groove. Keeping that in mind, the schedule would have been extremely cramped and taxing for them. With the kind of uncertainty, and to give all teams an equal opportunity to prepare, the postponement looks fine. The players are disappointed as everyone was looking forward to it,” she explained.

The extended break also has allowed Mithali to work on her fitness and mental peace. “There is always some good that can come out of any situation; my body is feeling very strong after this prolonged break. All niggles are gone, and despite having limited access to facilities, I have been following a specialised training programme and diet. At the moment I am fresh and raring to get back to the ground. My goal has always been doing well in the next World Cup. A year’s extension won’t change that,” added the right-hander.

The highest run-getter in women’s ODIs, Mithali, has also thanked BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to include Women’s T20 Challenge alongside IPL in UAE. “So many cricketers have reached out to me, excited about the resumption of cricket. The pandemic has hit us hard, affecting sporting events across the world.

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“Credit should go to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and IPL Governing Council for including women’s exhibition matches in IPL-13 and working on a plan to organise a preparatory camp along with other series. I am sure the upcoming season will benefit women cricketers,” she said. Speaking about Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana’s rough patch, Mithali believed the break has definitely helped them to unwind and chalk out a plan for the season. “It is a matter of time before they click.”

The appointment of WV Raman as head coach has brought in a change in the dressing room and Mithali was high praise of the former Bengal men’s team boss for the positive atmosphere he brings in. “He has been very professional and made things easy for the players. The most impressive thing he has done is to maintain a positive atmosphere in the dressing room.

“He reaches out to seniors and young cricketers and also communicates well. Sometimes, youngsters are a bit nervous. That’s when coach Raman speaks to them and explains their role in the team. His experience has bolstered the team. He works well with the support staff and makes sure the players benefit,” she concluded.