Women’s cricket star Mithali Raj announced retirement
India women’s team captain and one of the great female cricketers, Mithali Raj has announced retirement in all forms of the game after a glorious 23 years. Raj recorded 7,805 ODI runs in 232 matches, at an average of just over 50, scoring a total of 2,364 runs in 89 T20Is, as well as 699 runs in 12 Tests, including a century and four half-centuries. Follow us for IPL 2022 highlights and betting online cricket!
“Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end. Today is the day I retire from all forms of international cricket,” Raj said in a statement posted on her official social media. “I feel now is the perfect time to call curtains on my playing career as the team is in capable hands of some very talented young players and the future of Indian cricket is bright.”
The 39-year-old veteran batter last played for India during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year, where they were knocked out by South Africa after a three-wicket defeat. “It was an honour to have led the team for so many years. It definitely shaped me as a person and hopefully helped shape Indian Women’s Cricket as well,” she added.
Raj’s record of 10,868 runs across all formats is the highest among all women cricketers. She scored her first century when she was 16 and became one of the youngest cricketers to score a century in ODI. She is also the third youngest India captain when she was appointed at the age of 22. Her biggest achievement came in 2014 when she led India to their first Test series victory in England.
She is also the only Indian skipper, men or women, to have led India to two World Cup finals (2005, 2007). She is also the only female cricketer who played five women’s World Cup and the only India captain to have led the team in most matches, with 143 ODIs in her career. Raj added that she will still be “involved in the game” and will “contribute to the growth of Women’s Cricket in India and the world”.
“Mithali is one of the all-time greats of the game. Over the past 23 years, many young girls and boys will have been inspired to take up the sport after watching her,” ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said in tribute made for Raj. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah also posted his tribute to Raj in a tweet: “Your leadership on the field has brought much glory to the National women’s team.”
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