Mithali Raj hints at 'huge gap' between int'l, domestic women's cricket

Mumbai: Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj believes that the women’s cricket in the country is set to take an upturn, despite admitting that a large disparity exists between international and domestic cricket in India.

Mithali, who returned to India with the rest of her side on Tuesday, addressed the media in Mumbai on Wednesday, after the Women in Blue surprised one and all with their run to the final of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, earlier this month, in England.

“We’ve got the domestic structure, and even the BCCI has gotten the under-16 level, because that is the basic level from which the girls can get to play in the higher levels, said Mithali, when asked about the state of women’s cricket in India, where domestic season lasts of only two months.

“I myself have played under-16s and under-19s as well. I think they (BCCI) are coming with the under-23 as well. So there are changes in the domestic structure to develop quality players,” she said.

The India captain did concede that a big disparity between international cricket and domestic cricket exists in India. She said, “Of course there is a huge gap between domestic and international standard.”

However, she believes that the necessary steps to close that “gap” down are being taken.

“But that will close down with the facilities that the players have access to now, from their state associations. It is just a matter of playing more games and giving them more opportunities,” said Mithali.