Mithali Raj

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Former India captain Mithali Raj has hinted at the possibility of coming out of retirement if she gets a chance to take part in the inaugural women’s IPL. Raj was in conversation with former England star Isa Guha and New Zealand off-spinner Frankie Mackay in ICC’s 100% Cricket podcast.

When Guha and Mackay asked her if she is planning to come out of retirement to play the women’s IPL, the former India captain said, “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.”

I have been a big fan of her game: Raj

She then talked about young talents like Shafali Verma and praised her saying, “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.”

“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,” Mithali Raj continued.

I’d probably feel the difference of what it is post-retirement: Raj 

Guha and Mackay also asked Mithali Raj about her retirement and her journey ahead. Replying to this, the 39-year-old said, “I thought it would slow down my lifestyle, in the sense that I don’t have to plan my day, week or next series. So far it is as hectic as it has been, there’s no change to my lifestyle yet. Maybe when all these things die down, I’d probably feel the difference of what it is post-retirement."