Punam Raut who holds a world record opening partnership of 320 runs with Deepti Sharma(contributing 109), wants Indian women cricketers to benefit from the retired captain Mithali Raj’s huge experience and mentorship.
Punam Raut Praises Mithali Raj
Senior Indian women batter Mithali Raj announced her international retirement on June 8, 2022.
Veteran batter Mithali Raj in September 2019 announced her retirement from T20Is to focus on ODI cricket. Mithali Raj in her career has represented India Women, Supernovas, India Women Blue, and Velocity.
“It will be a huge help if Mithali travels with the Indian women’s team as a mentor. She has vast experience as a captain and can guide us on how to handle particular situations. She knows which player can be useful in specific phases and accordingly make plans,” Raut told mid-day after Mithali announced her retirement on Wednesday.
“She is a legendary cricketer. I am blessed to have played all my international cricket under her captaincy or with her. We enjoyed each other’s company at the wicket and to build a partnership with her was a learning experience. Her mere presence at the non-striker’s end provided me extra motivation to score big.
“Whatever I am today is because of Mithali. I learnt from her how to score big, how to build an innings. I developed my skills and mindset while playing under her. If I hadn’t played with her at Indian Railways, I wouldn’t have been the same player. Playing alongside her for India and Railways helped me a lot,” Raut remarked.
