For someone who is an avid cricket fan, Mithali Raj’s retirement announcement is a bittersweet moment. Obviously, we don’t want her to leave the field because, well, have you seen the power the woman can wield with the bat? From sporting platforms to websites, Mithali is often referred to as India’s greatest female batter and the records are proof of this. Here are some of the times Mithali Raj had us impressed with what she can handle. And she did it in style.
Mithali Raj’s Career And Other Highlights
World Cup Wow
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Every article you read about Mithali Raj will mention it but allow me to reiterate. She’s the only (ONLY) Indian captain- male or female – to have led her side to two ODI World Cup finals. The title may have eluded her but the guts and glory from leading a team onto the field amongst the greatest of world cricket? That’s fabulous.
Debut Drama
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At 16, when we were figuring out our boy crushes, Mithali was crushing records. She casually walked out on the field for her debut and knocked it out of the park with 114 runs. Unbeaten. Let’s all just bow down shall we?
Sexism Shutdown
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In 2017, a journalist with zero insight into the game, asked who her ‘favourite male cricketer’ was. To this, she responded with a sassy, “Do you ask a male cricketer who their favourite female cricketer is?” and shut down the stupidity. It made me want to stand up in my seat and applaud loudly.
The Run Rate
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As on June 8th, when she announced her retirement, Mithali Raj has 7805 runs to her credit. Let that sink in. The next person with that sort of run tally is former England captain Charlotte Edwards at 5,992. That’s a whole 1800 and then some runs less than her. If that doesn’t impress you, I don’t know what will.
Long Innings
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She’s 39 now. In 2019, at 36, Mithali Raj became the first woman to complete two decades in ODI cricket. For someone who took to cricket only half-heartedly and wanted to become a Bharatnatyam dancer, this would have probably come as a surprise to her family. But for fans, she’s become one of the reasons that we watch women’s cricket in India, a form of
