Mithali Raj is one of the most successful cricketers in the history of Indian women’s cricket. Born on December 3, 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Mithali is a right-handed batswoman who made her international debut in June 1999 at the age of 16. She is also a part-time leg-break bowler.
Early Life and Career:
Mithali was born in a Tamil family in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Her father, Dorai Raj, was an officer in the Indian Air Force, and her mother, Leela Raj, was a homemaker. Mithali was interested in cricket from a young age and started playing at the age of ten. She trained under Sampath Kumar at Keyes High School for Girls in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Mithali made her debut for the Indian women’s cricket team in June 1999 against Ireland. She scored an unbeaten 114 runs in her debut match, becoming the youngest female player to score a century in international cricket. She soon became a regular member of the Indian team and played in the 2000 Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she scored 143 runs in four matches.
International Career:
Mithali has represented India in 10 Test matches, 212 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 89 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). She has scored 6633 runs in ODIs, which is the highest by any female cricketer in the world. She is also the only female cricketer to surpass the 7000-run mark in international cricket.
In 2005, Mithali led India to their first-ever Test series win against England. She was also the captain of the Indian team that reached the final of the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, where they lost to England by nine runs.
In 2019, Mithali became the first female cricketer to play 200 ODI matches. She achieved this feat during the third ODI against South Africa in Vadodara. Mithali is also the highest run-scorer in Women’s One Day Internationals, with a total of 6633 runs.
Awards and Achievements:
Mithali has received several awards and accolades for her contributions to cricket. In 2003, she was awarded the Arjuna Award by the Indian government. She was also the recipient of the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2015.
In 2017, Mithali became the first woman cricketer to score 6000 runs in ODI cricket. Later that year, she was named the BBC Women’s Cricket of the Year.
In 2018, Mithali became the first Indian woman to score 2000 runs in T20Is. She achieved this feat during the Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur.
Personal Life:
Mithali is a private person and keeps her personal life away from the limelight. She is unmarried and has not been linked to anyone in the public eye. Mithali has also been involved in several charitable activities and is a supporter of animal rights.
Conclusion:
Mithali Raj is an inspiration to millions of women in India and around the world. Her dedication to cricket and her achievements on the field have made her a role model for aspiring female cricketers. She has shattered several records and has brought glory to Indian cricket. Mithali’s journey is a testament to the fact that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anyone can achieve their dreams.
