'We are playing Test cricket and it is important I prepare myself' - Mithali Raj on wearing pads while presenting jerseys

It was August 13-16 in the year 2014 that India last played a Test match against England in Wormsley. Mithali Raj was 31 and was at the peak of her career. India had won the match owing to her unbeaten 50 in a tricky run-chase of 181. Mithali has just played 10 Tests, a format that she has widely spoken in a lot of her interviews on how she is always suited to the red-ball format.

Fast forward to 2021 and the elegant right-hand batter will not get to play one but two Tests the same year- a rare thing in women’s game. The excitement and build-up to India’s all-format tour to England is widely spoken about by fans and experts.

Newly-appointed head coach Ramesh Powar spoke to the team about how the past players have left a rich legacy and how the present ones should make it even better for the next generation of players.

Mithali Raj looking ahead to the Test match against England

Inspirational leader Mithali is also known to be a meticulous planner and shrewd strategist of the game. During the Jersey presentation ceremony, the 38-year-old was seen wearing her white pads on, while presenting all players their jerseys’. A lot of people were taken aback by this picture that surfaced on social media. Now Mithali has cleared all the doubters by giving the appropriate answer.

“I am wearing pads for long hours because I want to get used to it. We are playing Test cricket and it is imp I prepare myself to bat long and hence I want to get used wearing pads for long,”  Mithali Raj on wearing pads during the jersey presentation ceremony as reported in Sports Today.

Mithali’s love affair to bat for a longer duration of time is a known fact as she scored an epic 214-the then highest score for women in Tests against England in Taunton in 2002. Without a doubt, she will again be a key player for India in English conditions which she is pretty used to. Her calm and guiding hand will help the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, and Priya Punia- who are yet to taste the Test cricket at the top level. India will start their United Kingdom tour by playing a Test match starting on June 16.