“My first tournament was when I was 10 years old; I left home for the first time then.”

At a tender age of 10, Mithali was representing the State at the Under 16, traveling to places, playing the sport along with her team mates, but no family around. She happily rejoices her first outing for the sport, “My first tournament was when I was 10 years old; I left home for the first time then. ButI’ve had amazing seniors, they have taught me everything, how to fold and pack, how to take care of yourself, how to tune into the radio channels- they were my family when my parents couldn’t be around.” But then there is the opposition team, they took to no leniency towards anyone. “It’s a tough sport at the end of the day, competition is everywhere. They look at you as an opponent, no one takes into consideration the age of the competitor on the field, and everyone plays to win.”