Darkest day of my life: Mithali Raj reacts after Ramesh Powar’s report

Following Ramesh Powar’s revelation that she threatened to quit midway through the World T20, Mithali Raj responded back, saying that it was the “darkest day” of her life as she felt hurt with her patriotism and dedication towards the sport being put to question.

In a tweet, she expressed her displeasure, writing,” “I’m deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me. My commitment to the game & 20yrs of playing for my country.The hard work, sweat, in vain. Today, my patriotism doubted, my skill set questioned & all the mud slinging- it’s the darkest day of my life. May god give strength.”

I’m deeply saddened & hurt by the aspersions cast on me. My commitment to the game & 20yrs of playing for my country.The hard work, sweat, in vain.
Today, my patriotism doubted, my skill set questioned & all the mud slinging- it’s the darkest day of my life. May god give strength

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) November 29, 2018

This is the latest development in the Mithali Raj World T20 snub that saw her sit out of the semi-finals which India lost. After she accused Powar and CoA’s Diana Edulji of indifferent treatment towards her, the Indian women’s team head coach had submitted a report to the BCCI wherein he had alleged Mithali of “blackmailing, pressurising coaches” and threatening to retire.

A 10-page report was submitted to the BCCI by Powar wherein he explained his actions of dropping Mithali down the batting order and also of asking her to stay back at the hotel for the match against Australia.

Also read: Mithali Raj threatened to retire, threw tantrums, says coach Ramesh Powar

“Before Pakistan match, video analyst Pushkar Sawant came to my room and said that fielding coach Biju George has conveyed to him that Mithali is upset with the batting order and packed her bags with the announcement of retirement in the morning,” he wrote.

I was saddened by her attitude and it gave me an impression that Mithali Raj comes first and then India. She threw a lot of tantrums and created a lot of chaos,” he added.

On Mithali’s allegations that she was asked to stay back in the hotel and not turn up to the ground for the group game against Australia, Powar said,” She couldn’t understand her role and adapt to the team plan and played for her personal milestones.”