I've Travelled In Unreserved Train Coach: Mithali Raj

Imagine a Team India cricket player travelling in an unreserved train compartment. Can't be true, can it? What if we specify that it's not men's cricket, but women's? Possible, right? Very much, says Team India captain, Mithali Raj.

Raj, who is currently enjoying every bit of success she has achieved, recalled her days of struggle. Asked to give a glimpse from the journey of her struggling days, Raj revealed that she had once travelled unreserved in a train at a time when she was making a name as an India player, Time Now reported.

"There were a lot of struggles in my journey. Now we are under the BCCI, but that time (when women cricketers were not under the board), the normal basic facility which a sportsperson gets to play even (we did not get). As an India cricketer, I have travelled unreserved from Hyderabad to Delhi by train, as an India player," Raj recalled

She was speaking at a session of 'We The Women' initiative.

READ: Kaur In Arjuna Award Race; But No Khel Ratna For Mithali Raj?

In reply, moderator Barkha Dutt responded, "That would never happen to a man."

To which the 35-year-old cricketer added, "That's what Rahul Dravid said. He said he has never travelled in train as an India player, but I did. But those difficulties make us strong. As women, we face so many challenges at an early stage, that when we mature and take up the challenges, we become so strong mentally, that we can do so many things, that we ourselves don't believe that we are capable of."

She also pointed out how during the initial days, her grandparents were unhappy that she was pursuing cricket.

Raj explained, "Because I am from South India, my grandparents were not comfortable that I was playing a sport (cricket). My parents had to bear a lot, but they have cocooned my life in a such a way, that I did not have to deal with the negativity."

Recently, in an exclusive chat with SheThePeople.TV, Raj emphasized how she never gives importance to trolls.

“If I had to take very serious consideration of what the trolls are, then I wouldn’t have picked up the bat in the' 90s. I have gone through far more challenging things than just the mere trolls. And they are definitely not worth my time”

READ: Mithali Raj To Write Her Memoir

Raj has recently made it to the number one spot in the ranking for batswomen, Sportskeeda reported. Hats off to women like Raj who break stereotypes and inspire millions.

https://www.facebook.com/SheThePeoplePage/videos/1712725615425310/

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