Mithali Raj confident

Women’s cricket will stand alone as a brand in itself’

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t be qualifying for the semifinals,” said a confident Mithali Raj ahead of the India women’s first ICC World T20 warm-up match against Ireland.

“We had a very successful T20 series against Australia and Sri Lanka. The team is confident following the wins. With the kind of form the team is in right now, I’m confident. Beyond that, I’ll think later.”

The India captain also pointed out that the team’s fielding, which isn’t considered to be on par with the batting and bowling strengths, has also picked up.

“One of the big changes we saw in the Australia series was in fielding. There has been a remarkable improvement in the way the girls have responded. I can assure you that you will see good fielding in the World Cup.”

Asked to pick fellow-contenders for the tournament, Mithali chose defending champion Australia.

“Though we have beaten them at home in Australian conditions, the World Cup is a different scenario. I definitely feel they are tough contenders.”

The 33-year-old also said the men’s tournament running parallel would not overshadow them and, in fact, help them.

“I think [the women’s tournament] has garnered a lot of people’s attention, thanks to the double-headers and television. I’m also quite confident women’s cricket will stand alone as a brand in itself in the future.”

The Nike advertisement where the men’s and women’s teams posed together came in for praise too, with Mithali calling it “one of those first moves by a team sponsor to cover women’s cricket in a big way.”

Non-recognition isn’t an issue confined to India and Ireland captain Isobel Joyce dwelt on how the reception was back home after the team qualified.

“For us, it was the first time we were acknowledged as a proper sports team as opposed to just taking part,” Joyce said. “Cricket is not, obviously, the No. 1 sport. Some couldn’t believe that they had seen me on television and heard me on the radio.

“So it was a really big breakthrough. The challenge is to keep it going.”