Budding women cricketers will be compared to Mithali and not Sachin: Smriti Mandhana

Indian Women’s cricket team star Smriti Mandhana sent a strong statement down to all the cricket fans. Mandhana, who was an integral cog in the team’s recent outing in the WWC, said that aspiring female players will now look up to Mithali Raj for inspiration and not Sachin Tendulkar. The 21-year-old batswoman was referring to an incident where Mithali was asked to name her favourite male cricketer.

Mithali had then said to the scribe in question, “Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?” The Indian eves had an impressive outing in the World Cup finishing as runners-up. And the ripples of their heroic performance have now embossed the younger generation of women cricketers.

Led by skipper Mithali Raj, the Indian contingent went really close to lifting their maiden World Cup trophy. However, they were eclipsed by hosts England in the summit clash at Lord’s. Despite being dubbed as underdogs at the start of the championship, the journey of the Indian Women in the quadrennial event was remarkable.

Mithali has been one of the iconic players of the generation

Speaking to India Today TV channel at the Mind Rocks event, Mandhana said, “I don’t think anybody will ask us who is our favourite male cricketer. I believe girls will start playing cricket and I think they will be compared to Mithali Raj and not Sachin Tendulkar.”

The 34-year-old Indian skipper is the first woman cricketer to score seven consecutive half-centuries ODIs and is also the highest run-getter in the same. She was chosen as the captain of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 team too. Now with Raj entering the later stages of her career, it can only be so long before the incredible captain begins to decline, but she will always be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.