Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2019)

After playing a hockey player in Shaad Ali’s Soorma based on the life of Sandeep Singh, India’s former captain, Mirror has learnt that Taapsee Pannu is now gearing up to feature in another sports biopic. It is based on the life of cricketer Mithali Raj who is the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

According to a source close to the development, the project has generated a lot of interest since it was announced by Viacom18 in September 2017. And while Taapsee and the filmmakers have verbally agreed to do the film together, she is yet to sign on the dotted line. “The formalities will be done once the studio has a director on board. They have also locked the story but the script is still being developed,” informed the source.

Born in Jodhpur, Mithali is regarded as one of the greatest batswomen the game has produced. She is the highest run-scorer in international women’s cricket and the only female cricketer to surpass the 6,000-run mark in WODIs.

In June 2018, during the Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup, she became the leading run-getter for India (either male or female) in T20Is. Last week, Mithali completed 20 years in International Cricket and toasting the milestone with thanks to family and friends, the changing/ evolving team, coaches and mentors, she had said she is looking forward to sharing more of this journey.

“The film is expected to roll next year and Taapsee will undergo rigorous training in cricket as part of her prep,” added the source.

Meanwhile, Taapsee has wrapped up Saand Ki Aankh with Bhumi Pednekar. They play the world’s oldest sharpshooters, Chandro Tomar and her sister-in-law Prakashi Tomar, in the Anurag Kashyap production.