Mithali Raj, the first superstar of women’s cricket, announced retirement from all forms of the game. The 39-year-old ended her illustrious career with a record 7805 runs from 232 ODIs, the most in the format. With an overall tally of 10,868 runs, she is also the leading-run getter in women’s cricket across formats. She featured in 89 T20Is and even though she played only 12 Tests, she scored a double hundred — the only woman cricketer from India to do so.
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, Mithali wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. Each event taught me something unique and the last 23 years have been the most fulfilling, challenging & enjoyable years of my life. Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end. Today is the day I retire from all forms of International Cricket.
Mithali’s long-time colleague Jhulan Goswami doffed her hat to the former captain. We overcame odds, both in life & on the cricket field, ever since we started playing U19 cricket. Your affection & support always pushed me towards achieving greater heights, Jhulan tweeted. Former captain Anjum Chopra, whbo was alongside Mithali on the 1999 tour of England, said there was little doubt about her talent. True champion and a good ambassador of the sport.
