Mithali Raj, the legendary Indian women's cricket captain, has declared her retirement from all forms of the game. Mithali, who made her debut for India in 1999, went on to become one of the finest players in the game's history, finishing her career as the leading run-scorer in all three women's cricket formats.
Mithali ended her remarkable career by describing the last 23 years as the most challenging, gratifying, and pleasurable of her life. The 37-year-old last played international cricket in March of this year, leading the Indian side to the semi-finals of the 2022 Women's World Cup, but the Women in Blue were unable to advance. Mithali scored 68 runs against South Africa, but her team was unable to cross the finish line in what would be her final game for the country.
Under Mithali's leadership, Indian women's cricket achieved significant progress on the international stage, the most notable of which was reaching the final of the 2017 Women's World Cup at Lord's against England.
Mithali announced her retirement in an emotional post on social media, writing, "I set out as a little girl on the journey to wear the India blues as representing your country is the highest honour. The journey was full of highs and some lows. Each event taught me something unique and the last 23 years have been the most fulfilling, challenging and enjoyable years of my life. Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end.”
She further said, "Today is the day I retire from all forms of international Cricket. Each time I stepped on the field, I gave my very best with the intent to help India win. I will always cherish the opportunity given to me to represent the tricolour.”
Mithali stated that this is the ideal time for her to retire from the game, stating that Indian women's cricket is in skilled hands and that the future looks bright. Mithali expressed her appreciation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for all of her assistance as a player and captain.
"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," Mithali wrapped up her letter.
Mithali Raj finished her career as the highest ODI run-scorer, with 7805 runs in 232 matches at an average of 50.64, including 7 centuries and 64 fifties. Mithali has also scored 699 runs in 12 Test matches, as well as 2364 runs in 89 T20 internationals.
Mithali, who was named captain in 2004, led the Indian team in the maximum number of matches for a woman in women's cricket. Mithali led her team to 89 victories in 155 matches as captain across all formats. Former England captain Charlotte Edwards ranks second, having captained her country in 117 matches, while Australia's Belinda Clarke has captained her team in 101.
