Mithali: 'Women's cricket should be broadcasted more'

Indian skipper Mithali Raj believes broadcasting women's cricket matches "can make a huge difference for the profile of the game as well as for the players."

“It is important that we market the sport. If we are playing a series, or a bilateral series, it is important that it is broadcasted."

Indian captain Mithali Raj has attributed poor crowds in women's international matches to lack of television coverage.

Mithali was speaking to the local media in Potchefstroom on Sunday after beating host South Africa by eight wickets in a quadrangular series that included Ireland and Zimbabwe.

It was the fourth time that India beat South Africa in the last five outings, but very few people witnessed the final.

“Back in India, we do have a lot of people coming and watching the matches,” Mithali told TV channel News.

“It is important that we market the sport. If we are playing a series, or a bilateral series, it is important that it is broadcasted because a lot of people back home are so inquisitive to know the result of the game."

“They do follow it over the net, but if it is broadcasted, it can make a huge difference for the profile of the game as well as for the players."

She said the players got a lot of positive feedback from fans in India, who followed the squad’s international games on the internet, but they were keen to watch the matches on TV.

“Unfortunately, that (the issue of broadcasting) depends on the home board,” Mithali said.