Page 43 - Mann ki Baat June 2022 - English

Mithali Raj: The Girl Who Put Indian

Women’s Cricket on the World Map

When the legendary Indian
cricketer with a 23-year-long
career, Mithali Raj announced
her retirement on social media on
th
8 June, 2022, it not only marked
the end of an era but also the
end of one of the most decorated
careers in sports. With 805 runs
from 232 ODIs, the highest tally in
the format, and 10,868 runs in all,
this Indian captain was truly an
icon of the game. Mithali played
six 50-over World Cups and led
the country to two World Cup
finals, in 2005 and 2017.
Her list of achievements is as
incredible as it gets. From being
the highest run-scorer in women's
all to her name. Mithali is also the
ODIs and India's highest run-
youngest player to score a double
scorer in women's T20Is to scoring
century in Tests, making her the
the most runs in international
lynchpin of the Indian batting line-
cricket and playing the most ODI
up.
matches as captain, she has it
But the legacy she leaves behind
goes well beyond mere numbers.
The first woman to make it big
in a male-dominated sport like
cricket, she helped girls across the
country nurture a dream.
For over 2 decades, Mithali was the
face and voice of Indian women's
cricket.
“I set out as a little girl on the
journey to wear the India blues as
representing your country is the
highest honour."

39
39