Mithali, Jhulan rue lack of preparation amid lockdown
What's the story
Indian women cricketers Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj opened up on lack of training in the wake of ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The two veterans, who have already bid adieu to the shortest format, are raring to go for the ICC Women's World Cup 2021. However, the nationwide lockdown has mowed down the preparation time of Indian women's team. Here is more.
Career
The duo retired from T20Is to focus on longer format
Jhulan Goswami is the leading wicket-taker in women's ODIs, having snapped up 225 from 182 matches at 21.48. Besides, Mithali Raj is the highest run-scorer with 6,888 runs in 209 ODIs at 50.64. While Jhulan announced retirement from T20 internationals following the T20 Asia Cup in 2018, the latter over retired a year later to focus on 50-over cricket.
Quote
I was looking forward to have some game time: Jhulan
"BCCI had scheduled the domestic T20 meets to prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia. So a delayed start to the one-day meets was on cards. I was looking forward to playing some competitive cricket before our next international engagement," Jhulan said.
Performance
Mithali and Jhulan last played for India in November 2019
Mithali went through a lean patch last year as she tallied 338 runs at 42.25, including only two fifties. The record is quite average from Mithali's standards. Her fellow team-mate Jhulan fared better after having scalped 18 wickets from 11 ODIs at 20.11. However, the duo last played an international in November 2019, when India toured West Indies for a three-match ODI series.
Schedule
The World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka could be postponed
With almost every sports event getting marred due to coronavirus pandemic, the World Cup qualifiers in July may also be deferred. Mithali believes India's preparations will be affected. "In case that doesn't happen we will have to play the qualifiers, which are likely to be rescheduled. The bilateral series against England too looks uncertain at this stage. Our preparations will take a hit."