India’s biggest superstar of women’s cricket, Mithali Raj announced retirement from international cricket on June 8th, after a 23-year stellar career. She made her debut for the women in blue back in 1999 versus Ireland Women. Since inception, she has fit well in her boots being the most prolific batter on India women’s cricket team.
The record-breaker and maker has many feats to her name, a few of those are visibly unbreakable. For instance, she has closed her career being the highest run-getter in women’s cricket. She surpassed 10,000 international runs in July 2021 leaving England’s Charlotte Edwards behind and being the second women cricketer to cross 10,ooo run-mark. Edwards bid farewell to her career with 10,273 runs whereas, Raj has 10,868 runs to her name.
Moreover, Mithali is the highest individual run-maker in the One-Day International format, retiring with 7805 runs. Once again, England’s Charlotte is next in the lane with 5993 ODI runs whereas, the rest of the current batters are pretty behind, and do not look to be reaching the milestone any sooner. Notably, retired Sarah Taylor closed her career with 5298 ODI runs whereas, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates goes on 5045 runs and continues to total more.
With plenty of records to her name, Mithali’s name will be remembered forever. She now plans to help Women’s cricket in India and across the world after winding up her playing career. Apart from her vocation composing befitting shots, she once gave a savage reply to a journalist back in 2017 that went viral and ended with loads of applause for her.
Upon being asked about her favourite ‘male’ cricketer, she responded by saying if the journalist has the guts to ask any male cricketer about his favourite ‘female’ cricketer. Her statement reads,
“Do you ask a male cricketer who their favorite female cricketer is?”
The 5-year old incident is once again all over the internet appreciating Mithali for the befitting reply.
Also, see:
Mithali Raj crosses all Indian women cricketers to make a record
