NEW DELHI: Former captain of the Indian women's cricket team, Mithali Raj, expressed optimism about the prospects of the Indian men's cricket team in the upcoming ICC World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India later this year. The global cricket extravaganza is set to unfold in October and November, offering the hosts the chance to secure another World Cup victory on home soil, having previously clinched titles in 1983 and 2011.
Mithali, renowned as the highest run-scorer in Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) with a staggering 7,805 runs, spoke about the exciting opportunity that lies ahead for the Indian men's cricket team.
"As an Indian cricket fan, I would want India to play in the final. It is a big opportunity. We are the host nation and the conditions are in our favour. If they (team) do well, we will get another opportunity to lift the World Cup," Mithali stated during her presence at the Women's Premier League final in Srinagar.
The Indian women's cricket luminary believes that women's cricket holds immense potential for growth in the region.
"For the past two to three years, the BCCI has been making a lot of efforts to promote the women's game and women players. The WIPL this year has also gone well and it is good for the sports profile. We hope that many players will come up from the state in the next two to three years," Mithali said.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, lauded the tournament as a significant initiative.
"I watched the match. I have said time and again that there is no dearth of talent (in the state). The Jammu and Kashmir Administration is making efforts to help girls progress in every field. I am sure that the next phase of development in Jammu and Kashmir will be led by women," Sinha said.
(With inputs from PTI)
