I don't feel 5,000 runs is a huge achievement: Mithali Raj

Congratulations on reaching the 5,000-run milestone...

Thank you very much. I am happy about it. I think it's been a long career and I have been consistent throughout. I would like to maintain the consistency for as long as I play.

How proud are you of your achievement?

Very proud of it.

Can you take us through your journey to 5,000 runs?

It wasn't easy of course. If you have a long career, you are bound to have phases where you would be scoring a lot of runs. There will also be times when you will be off colour. Each time a period came when I was struggling for runs, I would dig deep to find out whether I still have it to come out of it and score. Every time I realised I am stronger as a player and made a comeback. There have been periods I have scored runs, enjoyed batting and I have always taken the responsibility of the Indian batting line-up. Personally, I would like to see other players to come up and take the responsibility like how I have been doing for the last few years. I want to continue playing with this responsibility.

How did you celebrate after scoring 5,000 runs?

I didn't celebrate. I just went out for dinner with a couple of teammates. I don't feel its a huge achievement. The huge thing is that our team made a comeback in the series and won 3-2. When when we toured England (in 2012) we lost 3-2 after leading 2-0. We did not want to lose this series at home. It is a big achievement and I was more happy about that.

You have five centuries and 37 half-centuries to your name. Do you have a favourite innings?

I think it's been 16 years of international cricket. There is a lot of time when you make a match out of nowhere and these are the knocks that give you confidence and remain in your memory forever. The knock against New Zealand in the 2005 World Cup semifinals (in Potchefstroom, South Africa) is one such knock. They were the defending champions, we defeated them and I scored about 90 runs (India lost to Australia in the final). Another favourite is the one against England at Lords in 2012, when we were chasing. I scored an unbeaten 94. These were the games I scored, when we were in losing position, and got the team through. These moments excite me.

You are in your 16th year of international cricket. How tough is it to maintain consistency?

It is definitely tough. In international cricket, you cannot be stagnant. You have to keep improving series after series. Men's cricket sets the bench mark and you have to increase your standard as well. It is important for a player to keep updating. Keep yourself on par with the international standard and keep changing your game every year. With the kind of technology coming in every now and then, people studying your game minutely, it requires a lot of practice and lot of planning.

Do you believe that had women's cricket been as active as men's and played more matches — you have played just 158 ODIs in 16 years — you could have scored more runs?

I would say yes because, if you look at my career, I have played fewer matches comparitively in a span of 16 years. I should have played 200 matches. That is women's cricket for you. There used to be one series in two years, but things have improved and we are fortunate to play two-three series in a year. Had there been more matches, I would have scored more runs.

How did you motivate yourself as there are fewer matches and big gaps between two series?

I have had factors around me that motivated me. The motivation has been different at different stages. When I started playing cricket, I was my motivation and then I wanted to make my parents, especially dad, happy. Then I wanted to get into the Indian team. Then the motivation was to cement my place in the team, become a regular member. Then you want to be consistent. Then when I became the No. 1 batter, I had to be at my best to maintain that position. That was another motivation. So at different stages, different factors motivated me. When there were lack of matches, there was a time I felt I had no motivation to work hard. It comes during that phase, trying to figure out what you are working out for. I think sometimes you just look around to motivate your self and even this is becomes challenge when you don't get matches. However, when you get a series, you are motivated to score from the first match. I have always found motivation.

How many years of cricket is left in you?

I think right now I have few years of cricket left. May be after retirement I would look back. I have a lot to give as a player, a lot to progress, which is what I am working towards that.

What would you like to be born as in your next life?

(Pause). May be an author or an artist because I am more into activities like painting and dancing. I was never interested in sports. I came into cricket because of my dad.

Wouldn't you like to born again as a cricketer?

No, not a cricketer. In this life, I'm a cricketer, I would like to choose another field in my next life.

How do you feel about being called as 'Lady Sachin'?

Honestly, I would love to be identified with my own identity. Of course, Sachin (Tendulkar) is legend. But I would love to be known as Mithali Raj. Yes, its a compliment. But I would love to be known as Mithali Raj.

Tendulkar congratulated you on twitter after you scored 5,000 runs and through that many came to know about your milestone. How do you feel about it?

It is special. Women's cricket is not every day news. Even there were times when we do very well and our contribution would go unnoticed. If a person like Sachin appreciates, it feels nice. I would like to thank him for following us and appreciating our performance. It would go a long way in giving us confidence.

What would be your goal now? Beating Charlotte Edwards record of 5,812 (the leading run scorer)?

I don't know if I will get as many matches as she has played. My aim is to score runs in the coming matches for India and get ICC points that we lost out for the 2017 World Cup and figure in the top 4. I want India to do well in the World Cup. The last one that we played at home was disappointing. This time, I want to make up for that. That is my goal and I'm working towards it. I realise we are not playing an individual sport. It is a team sport. We have to support each other and take the team along. Statistics never really motivate or inspire me. Recently somebody asked me about my stats, it does not matter. Winning matches for India is what gives me happiness. There is happiness among the teammates, being a part of the team. It is different from being all alone in an individual sport where you have to cover up for yourself, if you don't perform. While in a team sport, others will and this special. I don't want to tarnish that with my own individual goals. I feel complete when I play for my country and that adds to my individual performance.

What message would you like to give to the youngsters?

This is a good time for women's cricket. BCCI has also shown interest by bringing in a contract system in place for women's cricket. The series are now being televised live around the world and people are following it. It can be said that the sport can be taken as a profession, as a career for girls if they are interested in taking up this sport. In the coming years, it would get better.