Fans & friends gather to give grand homecoming for World Cup hero Mithali Raj
HYDERABAD: 5:15 pm, Friday: Fans and the media present at the arrival gate of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport get the update that World Cup finalist Mithali Raj has landed. In a few minutes, scores of onlookers and travellers join in when they hear the same. 5:45 pm: After waiting impatiently for about half hour, people erupted in frenzy at the sight of the city girl emerging out of the airport.
From then on there were constant chants of “Mithali Mithali”, occasionally interrupted by “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. Huddled by camera persons, the India skipper was barely visible. But that did not stop the fans from expressing their joy as they screamed “India India”. Among the fans, was also a group of women cricketers from the city. Ananya Upendran, who has represented Hyderabad and India A wished that the excitement would not die down.
“I just hope that the excitement that has been generated after the performance at the World Cup continues. I think they do not have a series till October,” the 25-year-old, who also doubles up as a journalist, said.
Soon after landing in Mumbai, which was Mithali’s first stop in India after returning from England, she had opined that an IPL for women cricketers might be possible now. When queried about the same issue, Upendran retorted, “If it happens, then it is great. But, the BCCI has said it might 4-5 years.
Even if exhibition matches are played and home series is telecast live, it would be a step in the right direction.” An appearance in the final, even in a losing cause, has had tremendous effect on the number of girls taking up the sport in Hyderabad. “Ever since the final, we have been approached by 30 to 40 girls, which is a huge inflow.
We are glad that so many girls’ parents are taking interest now. I remember, not too long ago, we had to approach girls and ask them to play. The response, especially after the final has been very good,” said Savita Nirala, coach of Hyderabad women’s team and a former India U-21 player. It took around 15 minutes for the leading run-scorer in women’s ODIs to get to her car, which was parked not more than 25 metres from the gate.
From there she left for the Chief Minister’s office, where the CM K Chandrasekhar Rao announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore and a plot of not less than 600 square yards in the city.
One can only imagine the kind of reception she would have received had she come back with the cup.
vishalvivek@newindianexpress.com