Mithali Raj, India’s all-time star cricketer, has declared her retirement from international cricket. The 39 year old player confirmed the news on Twitter, where she gave a heartfelt letter that summed up her 23-year journey.
Anil Kumble, Wasim Jaffer, VVS Laxman, Dinesh Karthik, and a few more cricket legends have applauded Mithali’s legacy and tweeted in support of her retirement.
Mithali is the top run scorer in women’s One-Day Internationals. She made 7805 runs at an average of 50.68 in 232 matches for India. She has already announced that she will no longer participate in T20 international matches.
“Thank you for all your love & support over the years! I look forward to my 2nd innings with your blessing and support,” she tweeted.
Mithali made her debut in 1999 at the age of 16 and went on to become one of the all-time greats and a keystone of India’s batting over the following two decades, winning the Arjuna award, the Padma Shri award, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2021. Mithali came into the scene as a youngster and made an immediate impression, hitting a century on her ODI debut. She became the youngest century in women’s cricket when she scored an unbroken 114 against Ireland.
Mithali was indeed the youngest player to achieve a double-century in a Women’s Test at the age of 19. In 2022, the record remains unbroken. She seems to be the only Indian woman to achieve high score in a test. Raj is the second player in women’s cricket history to score 10,000 runs and has the second highest ODI average.
In 2005, she captained India through their first World Cup final, which they won against Australia. Mithali led India to its maiden test series triumph in England the following year. Mithali Raj has also led India to four straight Asia Cup wins. She also captained India to the finals of yet another World Cup in 2017.
Let’s take a look at the best Mithali Raj tweets from the cricket fraternity.
To play for India 🇮🇳 is a dream a very few fulfill and to be able represent the nation for 23 years is just amazing.
You have been a pillar to Women’s Cricket in India and have shaped the lives of many young girls.
Many congratulations on a phenomenal career @M_Raj03. https://t.co/jVHmMTW2YP— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 8, 2022
Congratulations @M_Raj03 on a glorious career. You are a role model and an inspiration to many. Wishing you the very best in your second innings 👏👏
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) June 8, 2022
To play for India 🇮🇳 is a dream a very few fulfill and to be able represent the nation for 23 years is just amazing.
You have been a pillar to Women’s Cricket in India and have shaped the lives of many young girls.
Many congratulations on a phenomenal career @M_Raj03. https://t.co/jVHmMTW2YP— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 8, 2022
In India, the name Mithali Raj has been synonymous to women's cricket. You have been an inspiration to millions all over the world. My best wishes to you for your future endeavours @M_Raj03. 😊 pic.twitter.com/kchguzAB8E
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 8, 2022
Cricket is a dream and when I started off my career I had no idea that women’s cricket existed but the only name ever told or heard was yours @M_Raj03 Di. You sewed the seed for all the young girls to take up this sport and dream big. Wish you the best in life. pic.twitter.com/pWZ9UHcKN3
— Harmanpreet Kaur (@ImHarmanpreet) June 8, 2022
Towards the end of her career, Mithali had been in form longer than some of her teammates had been alive 🙂 That's how long she served Indian cricket. Congratulations and thank you @M_Raj03. Good luck for your second innings 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/dQYTP8fMxd
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 8, 2022
Your contribution to Indian Cricket has been phenomenal. Congratulations @M_Raj03 on an amazing career. You leave behind a rich legacy.
We wish you all the very best for your second innings 🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/0R66EcM0gT
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 8, 2022
