Mumbai: India Women ODI captain Mithali Raj announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket after a career spanning nearly 23 years.
Mithali is retiring as the leading run-scorer in the women’s ODIs.
“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 & enjoyable years of my life,” Mithali said on social media on Wednesday.
“Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end. Today is the day I retire from all forms of International Cricket,” she added.
“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. I feel now is the perfect time to call curtains on my playing career as the team is in the capable hands of some very talented young players and the future of Indian Cricket is bright.”
“I’d like to thank the BCCI & Shri Jay Shah Sir (Honorary Secretary, BCCI) for all the support I have received – first as a player and then as the Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team. It was an honour to have led the team for so many years. It definitely shaped me as a person & hopefully helped shape Indian Women’s Cricket as well,” she continued.
“This journey may have ended but another one beckons as I’d love to stay involved in the game I love and contribute to the growth of Women’s Cricket in India and the world over. Special mention to all my fans, thank you for all your love & support,” Mithali concluded.
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She represented India in 232 matches scoring 7805 runs at an average of 50.68. In Tests, Mithali has scored 699 runs in 12 matches at an impressive average of 43.68. He has 2364 runs in 89 T20Is to his name.
Mithali, who made her debut in 2002, is considered the greatest Indian female batsman. He captained the team in two 50-over World Cups. At the age of 16, Raj scored an unbeaten 114 on his ODI debut and soon established himself as a major hurdler in India’s batting line-up.
In October 2019, Raj, at 36, became the first woman to complete two decades in ODI cricket.
Mithali Raj is currently in the seventh position in the latest ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings, released on Tuesday
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