Former Indian captain Mithali Raj is reputedly set to be part of the initial Women’s Premier League (WPL) in a coaching ability with the Adani Group-owned Gujarat Giants. The company made a huge bid out of all participants to own the Ahmedbad-based franchise, which was made official on January 25, Wednesday.
The former player was keen to perform in the WPL despite having completed her international career in June 2022.
Although, with a lack of occupy among the franchises in fixing the services of the 40-year-old, she is set to make her ability and experience to the league as a mentor.
A record-breaking start for the inaugural Women’s Premier League and expected nothing less! It will truly revolutionize women’s cricket as we know it. Exciting times ahead @BCCI, @BCCIWomen, and @JayShah Sir.#WPL https://t.co/CdxHSwXplF
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) January 25, 2023
Based on a report by Sports 18 Cricket Next, Mithali stated interest in depicting the Mumbai-based franchise as a performer but decided to settle for a role as a mentor with the Gujarat Giants. An origin close to the developments said:
“Mithali Raj was keen to play but she is now all set to mentor the Gujarat team for the inaugural Women’s Premier League.”
The source continued:
“Yes there was concern from her side to perform, especially for the team based out of Mumbai but things didn’t quite materialize the way she would have desired and a lucrative role with the Gujarat team came her way. It’s been really good to have the presence of someone like Mithali in the camp. The vast experience across configuration will only advantage the team she is going to be a part of.”
Mithali had a productive international career that reached over two decades. In terms of franchise cricket, she described Velocity and the Supernovas over the course of the Women’s T20 Challenge, which was retained concurrently side by side with the Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
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