HYDERABAD: For nearly 23 long years – from a 16-year-old to her late 30s – Mithali Raj had been on the cricket field traversing across the globe showcasing her immense talent with the willow. The ‘reluctant’ cricketer became a torchbearer for women as she was a pioneer in many ways.
But the journey hasn’t been an easy one. There were many pitfalls to avoid and low phases of life to overcome. “When you are successful not many things cross your mind because you just go with the good things that are happening. But when times are difficult, it becomes a different ball game. I would always think – as a young player – why I am facing this. But then when I shared it with – I don’t remember exactly with whom all – they were able to help me out,” Mithali, who is busy in the promotion of her biopic ‘Shabaash Mithu‘, which is scheduled to release on July 15, told TOI.
Being at the top looks very glamorous but it is not always so. “When you are at the top, you are always alone. That is why many successful people feel they are alone. But that has also helped me to internalize and analyse a lot of things which helped me develop a positive outlook,” she said.
“During those periods of low phases, we always depend on people to help us out. I was lucky to have a good support mechanism and that has prevented me from getting into the wrong path. It is easier to slip down the road when things are not good, especially, if you don’t have the right people to influence or to encourage you in those times,” she added.
The Hyderabadi feels that her success lay in doing the monotonous and boring things with passion. “I also feel that everybody is not game to do things which are small or regular everyday. People think being successful is all about working hard and grabbing all the opportunities and turning it around. But not many realise that we have to do things every day even though they are mundane and that is the secret of success.
“Doing those mundane things every day in a way, you are tuning your body and your mind. It is like a mechanical thing. So, when you really want things to happen, it does happen most times. And that is why discipline and routine are two important factors. At times, I didn’t like doing those things, but I did it and embraced it wholeheartedly. I kept telling myself that I like it and have to do it,” she said.
Mithali is grateful for the support system that she has had over the years. “My parents and three people have played a very important role in my life and career. One is my friend from school Harsha Priya. Even though sometimes I don’t get to meet her for two years or so, our friendship has always been the same. She has always been there for me. Another is Nooshin Al Khadeer whom I have known since my U-19 days and shared the dressing room both for the Indian team and Indian Railways. There is an understanding between us, in the sense that she knows that whatever I do or say is from a good place in my heart. The third friend is Aparajita, who is a lawyer by profession. She is also one whom I know from the U-19 days and has played cricket and done some coaching (Level II). Though she shifted her field six to seven years back, she gives me a different perspective about things. To have somebody not related to cricket, giving perspective on things is refreshing. As players, we always look in certain ways and situations but when you have an outsider like a non-cricketer, their perspectives make a world of difference. My brother also has been my silent supporter. He doesn’t say much but he is one person who is standing by me like a rock. These people make my support system,” he said.
Did she ever counter any embarrassing situation on the field? “I think during the pre-BCCI days, there were a lot of such issues but after coming under the BCCI, the game has gotten more professional and the matches are organised well. Players don’t usually face such situations.
“Before the BCCI happened, we used to play a lot of games in smaller venues. When suddenly crowds come in, especially in smaller towns where people are not aware of and had not seen women play cricket, it creates some issues. In curiosity they turn up in big numbers and there is not enough security to control them. I never encountered anything embarrassing but I have seen one of my teammates going through it. A good part of being a captain is that you are always inside the circle and not at the boundaries,” she added.
What will life be post cricket? “I have a few plans. Definitely, I am going to be associated with the game. Let’s see how it pans out.”
Mithali yet to see Mithu
Though she is busy promoting her biopic, Mithali hasn’t still seen it. “I was not part of it during the making as I was preparing for the world Cup. I haven’t seen the film till now as I just recovered from Covid a few days back. As a family we were supposed to watch the movie, but we had to postpone it. I am going to watch it in a couple of days’ time. Right now, I am going to start with the promotion of the movie,” she said.
But the journey hasn’t been an easy one. There were many pitfalls to avoid and low phases of life to overcome. “When you are successful not many things cross your mind because you just go with the good things that are happening. But when times are difficult, it becomes a different ball game. I would always think – as a young player – why I am facing this. But then when I shared it with – I don’t remember exactly with whom all – they were able to help me out,” Mithali, who is busy in the promotion of her biopic ‘Shabaash Mithu‘, which is scheduled to release on July 15, told TOI.
Being at the top looks very glamorous but it is not always so. “When you are at the top, you are always alone. That is why many successful people feel they are alone. But that has also helped me to internalize and analyse a lot of things which helped me develop a positive outlook,” she said.
“During those periods of low phases, we always depend on people to help us out. I was lucky to have a good support mechanism and that has prevented me from getting into the wrong path. It is easier to slip down the road when things are not good, especially, if you don’t have the right people to influence or to encourage you in those times,” she added.
The Hyderabadi feels that her success lay in doing the monotonous and boring things with passion. “I also feel that everybody is not game to do things which are small or regular everyday. People think being successful is all about working hard and grabbing all the opportunities and turning it around. But not many realise that we have to do things every day even though they are mundane and that is the secret of success.
“Doing those mundane things every day in a way, you are tuning your body and your mind. It is like a mechanical thing. So, when you really want things to happen, it does happen most times. And that is why discipline and routine are two important factors. At times, I didn’t like doing those things, but I did it and embraced it wholeheartedly. I kept telling myself that I like it and have to do it,” she said.
Mithali is grateful for the support system that she has had over the years. “My parents and three people have played a very important role in my life and career. One is my friend from school Harsha Priya. Even though sometimes I don’t get to meet her for two years or so, our friendship has always been the same. She has always been there for me. Another is Nooshin Al Khadeer whom I have known since my U-19 days and shared the dressing room both for the Indian team and Indian Railways. There is an understanding between us, in the sense that she knows that whatever I do or say is from a good place in my heart. The third friend is Aparajita, who is a lawyer by profession. She is also one whom I know from the U-19 days and has played cricket and done some coaching (Level II). Though she shifted her field six to seven years back, she gives me a different perspective about things. To have somebody not related to cricket, giving perspective on things is refreshing. As players, we always look in certain ways and situations but when you have an outsider like a non-cricketer, their perspectives make a world of difference. My brother also has been my silent supporter. He doesn’t say much but he is one person who is standing by me like a rock. These people make my support system,” he said.
Did she ever counter any embarrassing situation on the field? “I think during the pre-BCCI days, there were a lot of such issues but after coming under the BCCI, the game has gotten more professional and the matches are organised well. Players don’t usually face such situations.
“Before the BCCI happened, we used to play a lot of games in smaller venues. When suddenly crowds come in, especially in smaller towns where people are not aware of and had not seen women play cricket, it creates some issues. In curiosity they turn up in big numbers and there is not enough security to control them. I never encountered anything embarrassing but I have seen one of my teammates going through it. A good part of being a captain is that you are always inside the circle and not at the boundaries,” she added.
What will life be post cricket? “I have a few plans. Definitely, I am going to be associated with the game. Let’s see how it pans out.”
Mithali yet to see Mithu
Though she is busy promoting her biopic, Mithali hasn’t still seen it. “I was not part of it during the making as I was preparing for the world Cup. I haven’t seen the film till now as I just recovered from Covid a few days back. As a family we were supposed to watch the movie, but we had to postpone it. I am going to watch it in a couple of days’ time. Right now, I am going to start with the promotion of the movie,” she said.
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