City girl Punam Raut, the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded ICC Women's World Cup final, has echoed the sentiments of Indian women's cricket captain Mithali Raj
Punam Raut at mid-day office yesterday. Pic/Datta Kumbhar
Punam Raut at mid-day office yesterday. Pic/Datta Kumbhar
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City girl Punam Raut, the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded ICC Women's World Cup final, has echoed the sentiments of Mithali Raj. Like the India skipper, Punam urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India to start a women's IPL to help young girls take up cricket as a career in a male dominated sport.
"Yes, I agree with Mithali. IPL is a must for women's cricket. This will help the next generation to take up cricket as a career. Youngsters will get an opportunity to play and share the dressing room with international stars.
This will help them gain experience and it will improve the standard of women's cricket in India," Raut, 27, told mid-day yesterday. She finished the World Cup with 381 runs in nine matches at an average of 42.33 with one century and two half tons.
The Indian team, which finished runners-up, received a warm welcome upon their arrival in Mumbai. The Mithali-led team were also felicitated by Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel in New Delhi last week.
"Life has changed a lot after the World Cup. There are always people around to congratulate you. It's become difficult to make time for myself now. But, it feels great to see the love people are showering on us," Raut said.