Mithali Raj did not get the send off she deserved as India lost to England in a thriller of a Women World Cup final 2017. Mithali got out for 17 from 31 balls while chasing down the score of 229 in the final. As usual, she was pacing her innings and trying to play her natural game. But, owing to a bizarre runout she lost her wicket which looked fishy to a few viewers. Whereas a few resorted to calling her irresponsible as they felt that she threw her wicket away leaving the team in danger reduced to 2 for 43.
Raj revealed the truth behind the runout in an interview to TOI, “I saw some weird stuff written about my run out on social media. Actually, what happened was my spike got stuck on the pitch. Punam called me for a run and I responded. Before I reached the half way, this thing (spike getting stuck) happened and I don’t think the TV cameras captured it. I couldn’t push myself hard and couldn’t even make an effort to dive. I was helpless. I was gutted.”
As India lost the game, Kamaal Rashid Khan who is known for his senseless comments on the Men in Blue, this time took on the eves. KRK tweeted, “The way Mithali got out, it looks like a fixed match. How can she get out forcefully? Unbelievable”.
Do you think #MithaliRaj could have made her ground?
Watch the key run out here https://t.co/FHPdLR9Tfb #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/mHxEydfMTC
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 23, 2017
As Raj said these comments hurt her sentiments as it was heartbreaking for her to get out in this fashion in probably her last World Cup. Raj has committed herself to Indian cricket and led them through a bad phase to leaving behind a legacy. A mishappening cannot define her career.
This was not the first time KRK alleged someone of fixing. After India’s defeat in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against Pakistan, he spared no one with an exception of Hardik Pandya as he felt that the match was fixed.
