We all know how difficult it is to create your own identity and become respected in any male-dominated field – and it is beyond any normal human’s strength if the male-dominated field is Indian Cricket.
But, there are some great women who took up the courage to create their own identity in the field of Indian Cricket. And, the name of Mithali Raj comes on top of the list of these brave women.
Recently, the skipper of the Indian women’s cricket team Mithali Raj spoke at “We the Women Asia” on what it means to be a woman cricketer in India.
What she shared would make you consider the next time when you call her Lady Sachin.
As per The News Minute, Mithali shared:
[ifh_news_form]“I wouldn’t say I am tired of being the Lady Sachin (Tendulkar), but I would like to be known as the Mithali Raj of women’s cricket. I think as a cricketer, I am sure everyone would love that compliment because everyone looks up to him because of what he has achieved and nobody yet has gotten close to it. When I started to play cricket I never wanted to be known as the Lady Sachin, I didn’t want to ape him. I wanted to create my own identity in sport.
And I would like people to know me as Mithali Raj.”
Why we have to call her Lady Sachin Tendulkar when she is Mithali Raj?
As per News Minute, Mithali also spoke about how 2017 was a year when people started recognizing women’s cricket team:
“When we came under the BCCI, it was new for them and it was new for us because until then we never really got to interact with the male cricketers and when we see them we are also star-struck. Slowly we started to interact with them and things started to sort out,”
“And now when we see them (players like Sachin and Dravid) tweeting and acknowledging the team, it feels nice, because people in India treat them like gods and when they comment on women’s cricket, they (people) take it seriously.”
When asked what advice she would like to give young people who are following or wish to follow their dreams, she added:
“A lot of people ask me for advice for young people. In general, everyone has a dream and if you have goals, please do not restrict yourself to caste, creed or ‘I am a woman, I cannot probably achieve it.’ Dreams are dreams. Everyone has a right to dream and they should be given equal opportunity to achieve that and to excel in life. Not just success, people should also appreciate average people because everyday people struggle, not just successful people. Getting up in the morning is a struggle, I know that. Acknowledge celebrities but acknowledge your own self,”
Through her determination, hard work and undying spirit, Mithali Raj has managed not only to make herself recognizable but has also influenced so many young women to break the stereotypes and achieve their dreams.
You can watch the full interview here.
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