Former Team India captain Mithali Raj is expected to coach for the Gujarat Giants, a team owned by the Adani Group, in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL). The organization submitted the highest offer among all contenders for the franchise with a location in Ahmedabad, and it was accepted on Wednesday, January 25. Even though her international career came to an end in June 2022, the former cricket player was eager to participate in the WPL.
She will, however, be bringing her knowledge and experience to the league as a mentor because the franchises aren’t interested in hiring the 40-year-old as a player.
Mithali Raj wanted to play as a player in the WIPL
Sports 18 Cricket Next reported that Mithali expressed interest in playing for the Mumbai-based team but chose to settle for a position as a mentor with the Gujarat Giants. a person familiar with the situation 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 interest from her side to play, particularly for the team based out of Mumbai but things didn’t quite materialize the way she would have wanted and a lucrative role with the Gujarat team came her way. It’s always good to have the presence of someone like Mithali in the camp. The vast experience across formats will only benefit the team she is going to be a part of.” Read More: JSCA International Stadium Complex Ranchi Stadium Boundary Length and Seating Capacity
She is an icon in women’s cricket
Over the course of more than two decades, Mithali had a successful international career. She played for Velocity and the Supernovas in franchise cricket during the Women’s T20 Challenge, which was held concurrently with the Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Women’s cricket’s all-time leading scorer Mithali Raj played in 89 T20 Internationals and amassed 2,364 runs at an average of 37.52. Against England at home in 2019, she made her final T20I appearance. The most glaring one was her absence from the 2018 T20 World Cup semifinal. She has experienced her fair share of problems in the shortest format. A coaching position with Gujarat Giants may signal a fresh beginning for the illustrious batter.
To expand their sporting endeavours, The Adani Group offered a bid of 1,289 crores. They already own the Gulf Giants team from the International League T20 (ILT20) as well as the Gujarat Giants from the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).
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