Mithali Raj says BCCI 'did it's best'

India ODI captain Mithali Raj stated that the foreign players are disappointed with BCCI as BCCI is overlapping IPL and Women T20 Challenge with WBBL. She also believes that BCCI "did its best" to pitch just four-match tournament in these unusual COVID-19 times.

Australian star player Alyssa Healy, raised her voice against BCCI on the timings of and Women T20 Challenge games which is clashing with the WBBL. Earlier the BCCI was also criticised for cancelling the Indian Women's tour of England in September, as most of the international sides have already been in England amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Mithali Raj revealed her thoughts on both the topics when she was asked during an exclusive interview.

"People tend to judge quickly. The BCCI president (Sourav Ganguly), secretary (Jay Shah), and IPL GC chief (Brijesh Patel) have been very encouraging towards women's cricket.

"I personally thought we may not even get to play the Challenger trophy (domestic event) because even the men's IPL was in doubt but these games are most welcome," Mithali told PTI during an exclusive interview.

"I know a lot of people (foreign players) have questioned the timing of it but these are not normal circumstances. Normally, the IPL happens in April-May and doesn't collide with WBBL (in Australia).

"But these are unusual circumstances, the window (tentatively 1-10 November) was a short one and the BCCI did the best it could."

Earlier, Mithali Raj made it clear that she will be the part of the next year’s ODI World Cup. Mithali’s World Cup preparation plans is been drained by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Indian Women cricket team didn’t played a single game since their defeat in the finals of T20 World Cup against the Bangladesh.

The WBBL is scheduled to start from 17 October to 29 November while Women T20 Challenge matches will be held from 1-10 November in Dubai.

"It (their frustration) is understandable. They (foreign players) also want to be part of the event. I too want the best players in the league.

"But the situation is not normal. Right now, there is hardly any sporting activity in India and to have the matches before the men's IPL, it would require players to be in match mode. We are yet to start training.

"My own state has just allowed the opening of gyms. So for me to get match ready will take time. The BCCI has given us that window and we will have to work around it this year," said the leading run-getter in ODI cricket.

"They did not have to change the calendar (in Australia for WBBL) but we needed to owing to the pandemic. The IPL could not be organised in April-May."

She seeks the likes of Healy and Bates to understand the situation.

"Even if we were to shift the Women's Challenge to September, the girls would not be ready. Australia and New Zealand players have had more time than us to start their preparations for the season. Nobody understands this but are quick to judge."

With the World Cup next year, Mithali felt that the games in the UAE will also help the domestic players a required opportunity.

“It seemed the pull out from England tour would severely hamper India's World Cup preparations but Mithali said the team is likely to play four series before the showpiece event (against South Africa, West Indies, Australia and New Zealand subject to the COVID-19 situation at that time)."

Mithali has last played for India in November against the West Indies.

"More than the T20 Challenge games, I am relieved to have some cricket starting. That gives hope to other players to look forward to training and plan the season and not be in that uncertain mode.

"We have four series scheduled before World Cup but we are yet to get the dates. When the England tour got cancelled, players faced a lot of uncertainty and if there is nothing ahead you don't what know you prepare for. So the news of staging the IPL games is much needed."

How much time will she and her team requires to get back in the zone?

"Well for starters, from what I heard we are going to have a camp sometime in September-October. That should help the team to re-group and assess themselves and accordingly plan ahead for the coming series."