‘What kind of question is that’: Mithali Raj opens up on awkward conversations with grooms
New Delhi: Mithali Raj, one of the greatest women cricketers in history, became a living legend through her remarkable achievements in the game. A holder of numerous international records, Mithali consistently prioritized Indian cricket over her personal life. Despite remaining unmarried and dedicating her life entirely to the sport, the former India captain often found herself entangled in conversations about marriage and starting a family. Speaking on a podcast, Mithali shared amusing and awkward experiences involving discussions with potential grooms suggested by her aunts.
Despite her incredible success as a cricketer, Mithali Raj revealed that several potential suitors had asked her to give up cricket, suggesting that her primary responsibility after marriage would be raising children.
“I didn’t get that sense, honestly (that they were talking to Mithali Raj). Now these calls were set up by my mother’s sister, so I agreed to talk. So after the pleasantries, they would dive straight into post-marriage scenes, discussing how many kids they wanted. I was on backfoot because those were the things I never imagined, nor did I ever discuss with anyone. I would always think about Indian cricket. So yes I was taken aback by some of those statements, of how many kids I want or that I have to let go of cricket,” she said on Ranveer Allahabadia’s show.
“I was the current Indian captain then. One of them said you have to leave cricket because after marriage you have to look after the kids. I was still absorbing those statements. I don’t remember his name, though. The strangest question he asked was, ‘If something happened to my mother, would you look after her or go and play cricket?’ straightway replied saying, ‘What sort of question is this?’ He said: ‘I need to know what is more important to you.’ And I replied saying, ‘That will depend on the situation.’ I don’t exactly remember what I said next, but it clearly put me off,” she added.
Mithali Raj also shared that some of her friends advised her to change her outlook on certain aspects of life, warning that otherwise, she might never find a life partner.
“I remember a cricketer friend of mine said that you do have to adjust a bit because you will never find a person who will allow you to follow that same lifestyle. I told her that the question made no sense, but she replied saying most men ask such questions. I did not make up my mind till then, but it did trigger something in me. I felt my parents made all the sacrifices, I made a lot of sacrifices and I am not going to let it go for some random person who feels I have to let go of my career to look after his house,” she said.