Mithali Raj has been synonymous with Women’s Cricket in India for over two decades. Often dubbed as the ‘Lady Tendulkar of Indian Women’s Cricket Team, ‘ the Women’s Cricket frontrunner has accomplished many records and accolades in her spectacular international cricketing journey.
A movie called ‘Sabaash Mithu‘ depicting her tremendous avenue as a cricketer will soon be released in the theatres as announced by Taapsee Pannu on her Instagram handle, who will be portraying the role of Mithali Raj.
Career Statistics:
Mithali Raj has played 12 Test matches in which she has scored 699 runs at an average of 43.7. Her score of 214 against England in 2004 is the highest score for any Indian women cricketer in Tests. It is also the second-highest score in Test cricket history. In OneDay internationals, Mithali Raj has the most number of runs for a player. She has played 232 ODIs, in which she has scored 7,805 runs at an average of 50.7. Mithali managed 7 centuries and 64 half-centuries in her ODI career. Lastly, in T20is, she has represented India 89 times and scored 2,364 runs at an average of 37.5.
The Cricketing Journey of Mithali Raj:
Mithali Raj has played for India in all three formats and holds the world record for playing most Women’s ODI matches in cricket history. She has eclipsed numerous awards and accolades in her distinguishing career. Cricketing experts have praised her nimble footwork at the crease, even going to the lengths of associating it with her virtuosity in Bharatnatyam.
Early Strides:
Mithali Raj’s cricket career started with her stint for Railways in the domestic circuit. She played with Indian Women veterans, Anju Jain and Anjum Chopra for Air India. Raj progressed briskly to the international sphere and was shortlisted for the probable squad for the 1997 Women’s World Cup at 14. However, she could not make it to the final team, but the echoes of her ultimate eminence could be heard and clear.
Dawn of Prominence:
Mithali Raj donned the blues for Indian Women against Ireland in 1999 to represent the nation for the first time in the international arena. She whacked a brilliant hundred to score an unbeaten 114 to mark her arrival in style at the global level. Raj debuted for India in Tests in the 2001-02 series against South Africa. On India’s tour of England in 2002, she set the world record for the individual highest score in Test cricket when she notched up 214 against England at Taunton in the second Test. Kiran Balouch of Pakistan later surpassed the record in 2004.
International Glory:
Mithali Raj has led India to the two Women’s World Cup finals respectively in 2005 and 2017. On both occasions, India failed to grasp the coveted trophy as Australia in 2005 and England in 2017 outplayed India in the finals. In 2006, Mithali led India Women to their first-ever Test and Series victory in England and then again in 2014, she scored a handsome fifty to secure a win against England in a one-off Test at Wormsley.
T20i World Cup Controversy:
Mithali Raj had a fallout with T20i captain Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Ramesh Powar during the 2018 T20i World Cup. She wrote a letter to BCCI, alleging bias against her for non-inclusion in the tournament’s semifinal. However, Powar stated that Raj was not willing to bat lower down the order and hogged too many deliveries at the top order, which caused pressure to be piled up on other players as the reason for her exclusion.
Current Avenue:
Mithali Raj retired from the game’s shortest format in 2019 and continued to lead India in Women’s ODI. She reconciled with coach Ramesh Powar after he was appointed as Head coach of the India women’s cricket team in 2021. She aspires to win the ODI World Cup for India and is spearheading India Women’s campaign at the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Records, Awards & Accolades:
- Leading Run-Scorer in Women ODIs.
- The only player to score seven consecutive half-centuries in international cricket.
- Most consecutive Women ODIs (109) played by a player.
- Recipient of Arjuna Award (2003), Padma Shri (2015) and Khel Ratna Award (2021).
