Mithali Raj slammed her third consecutive fifty and broke plenty of records as India achieved a consolation win in the third ODI against England.
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After the end of the third ODI against England, Mithali Raj’s name was cemented in the hall of legends. When she scored her third consecutive fifty, Mithali Raj became the leading run-getter in women’s cricket. India now had two individuals who were the leading run-getters in cricket. Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 34357 runs has made him the leading run-getter in men’s cricket. Mithali now has over 10,300 runs in women’s cricket and she sits on top of the pile ahead of Charlotte Edwards.
After the end of the match, there was one more stat that saw more resemblance with Sachin Tendulkar. Both made their debuts at the age of 16 years and 205 days. Tendulkar played for 24 years. Mithali is now into her 22nd year and she is getting better. Her average of 51 in this period makes her the ultimate batter in women’s cricket. One might argue that her strike rate is low. But, when it comes to impact, there can be no doubting Mithali.
There is a zen-like feeling when Mithali has come out to bat. It is this feeling that the Indian team has lacked in the past couple of years. When Mithali was left out of the 2018 ICC World T20 semi-final against England, the entire batting unit crumbled. Under Ramesh Powar at that time, the zen-like feeling that Mithali had created evaporated.
Now, three years later, against the same opponents but in a different backdrop, there was redemption. The characters are the same. The situation might be different. But, Mithali once again showed that age is just a number. She had silenced her detractors with the bat. “I’m just happy. Thank you.” Those five words when asked about Mithali’s feat summed up her commitment. She never played for numbers. It was always team first.
The ability to shut out noise when one is playing is the greatest thing for a sporting personality. There has been a constant criticism of her strike rate. Yet, when India won the match, she came out in greater detail about how she was able to shut out the noise.
“I do read the criticism about my strike rate. But as I’ve said earlier also, I don’t seek validation from people. I have played for a long time. And I know that I have a certain responsibility in the team. I don’t look to please people. I’m here to play the role that’s assigned to me accordingly,” Mithali said in the post-match press conference.
It is this aspect of Mithali that epitomizes her maturity after 22 hard years in the circuit. The ability to shut out the noise and still perform adds a different dimension to her batting. For far too long, sporting personalities have been bogged down by the fickleness of fans as to their retirement plans, inability to be consistent, and about strike rates.
Mithali tests the current trend of ‘strike rates are over-rated’ flouted by Shubman Gill. Yes, a big strike rate is an advantage. But, it is not the norm. If Mithali can get the team over calmly with a strike rate of 60, then that is also effective. Mithali has never scored quickly consistently. But, that is the blueprint that has served her well in her career. When it is doing well, why break and fix it?
Mithali has quit Twenty20 Internationals in order to prolong her ODI and Test career. The focus will now be on Mithali in the Australia Test in Perth which will be a Pink Ball match. But, all the focus will be on the 2022 ODI World Cup in New Zealand. The heartbreak of 2005 and 2017 where they lost in the final is heartbreaking for Mithali. A win for Mithali and India in the 2022 World Cup will be the perfect seal to her dominance.
There have been none like Mithali in the women’s game. People who criticize her for her strike-rate are missing the whole point. When she leaves, whenever that will be, the void in the Indian team will be as wide as the Grand Canyon. People have to enjoy Mithali’s batting. When she goes, there will never be another one like her. The win in the third ODI is vindication for Mithali. Indian fans need to enjoy that moment and not sulk about her ‘poor’ strike-rate. The definition of poor, in this case, is over-rated.
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