Mithali Raj to women’s cricket is what Sachin Tendulkar is to global cricket. You call her the University of Cricket, youth icon, feminist goddess or the greatest female cricketer India has ever produced, she is an inspiration to all of us.
But what happened after the India exit from the T20 World Cup semis is a shame to the nation. Mithali Raj was dropped from the semifinals at the crucial time, when she was going great runs in the tournament for her all round performance. She hit back to back fifties before the semis and was judged man of the match on both the occasions.
Mithali’s absence cost India the World Cup tournament. India lost to England by 8 wickets in the semifinals of the World Women’s T20. Having faced such humiliation, Mithali Raj wrote a letter to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri and GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim accusing the BCCI Committee of Administration (COA) member Diana Edulji and head coach Ramesh Powar for trying to tarnish her self-confidence and international career.
In the letter, Mithali wrote “For the first time in a 20 year long career, I felt deflated, depressed and let down. I am forced to think if my services to my country are of any value to a few people in power who are out to destroy me and break my confidence.”
Unfortunately the mail was leaked to the media created furore across the BCCI and the cricket fraternity forcing BCCI acting secretary to seek explanation from BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM Saba Karim.
Amit Chaudhary wrote an email stating “I was taken aback by media reports today, obviously based on leaks, reporting the content of the email apparently written by Mithali Raj. I am not sure to whom the email was addressed though it remains a fact that the undersigned is a convener of the national women’s selection committee and the concerned recipient(s) should immediately have copied the same to me,”
He further added “It is clear that the contents are extremely damaging to certain individual persons and, therefore, to the BCCI. Please let me know the facts of the case at the earliest,”
The question raises that who leaked the email to the media. It could be Mithali Raj herself, Rahul Johri or Ramesh Powar leaking the mail. Ramesh Powar had a torrid time handling Mithali Raj in the past and has just accused Mithali Raj of blackmailing and pressurizing coaches and creating differences in the team.
Ramesh Powar wrote a report on every member of the team, but most of the part was reserved for Mithali Raj. In a 10 page report mailed to BCCI CEO Ramesh Johri and GM of Cricket operations Saba Karim, Powar wrote “I hope Mithali Raj stops blackmailing, pressurising coaches and also stops putting her interest first than team’s,”
“I hope she will look at the bigger picture & work towards betterment of the Indian women’s cricket.”
“(She) ignored her role and batted for own milestones. Lack of keeping the momentum going which was putting extra pressure on other batters,” he added.
He revealed how Mithali Raj opened the innings against Pakistan due to selector’s pressure, despite coaches suggesting her to bat at middle order. Powar wrote “Against Pakistan, to save the positive team environment, we opened with Mithali Raj due to pressure from travelling selector and Mithali’s threatening behaviour (retirement) to go back home if not given a chance to open the innings,”
“Against Pakistan, to save the positive team environment, we opened with Mithali Raj due to pressure from travelling selector and Mithali’s threatening behaviour (retirement) to go back home if not given a chance to open the innings,”.
Once Mithali Raj was made aware about the report, she tweeted.
I'm deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me. My commitment to the game & 20yrs of playing for my country.The hard work, sweat, in vain.
Today, my patriotism doubted, my skill set questioned & all the mud slinging- it's the darkest day of my life. May god give strength— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) November 29, 2018
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