Surprised at being selected for the Padma Shri, Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj says she was not expecting the prestigious honour with some men's team superstars also in the race.
"Honestly when I was pitted against Virat Kohli, I gave up because when you compare us with men's cricket then we think that we may not get it. So I was not expecting it, but it came as a pleasant surprise," Mithali told PTI from her Hyderabad home.
A veteran of 153 ODIs, 10 Tests and 47 T20 internationals since making her debut in 1999, Mithali, 32, believes that the Padma Shri will certainly help the cause of Indian women's cricket.
"It (the national awards) is a nice way of appreciating your efforts. Because at a time when I started playing cricket, there was no awareness for women's cricket. People were not even knowing that women's cricket existed. And from that phase to today where people would want to follow women's cricket, I think we have come a long way," Mithali said.
"These awards will really prop up the young girls and players to take up the sport and do much better. With this award probably people will be following women's cricket keenly and will take a note of the international calender of women," she added.
Asked about her view on the recent trend of sportspersons demanding their due from the concerned authorities, Mithali said that 'to each his own'.
"There are some people who feel that they deserve a particular award or recognition, but I don't fall in that category. I am very laidback and I take it as it comes. So it's fine with me. I have got it and am very happy about it," she said.
The veteran batswoman also talked about Indian men's performance before the upcoming World Cup and said that the batsmen can play cover up for the weak bowling.
