“You leave behind a rich legacy”- India legend Mithali Raj bids farewell to international cricket
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Mithali Raj
Legendary cricketer Mithali Raj has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket after a 23-year-long career.
“Thank you for all your love & support over the years! I look forward to my 2nd innings with your blessing and support,” she tweeted. “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.”
The 39-year-old said that she hoped to continue involved in the game, “The 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 world over.” ODI against South Africa during the World Cup is her final international game.
Check how Twitter reacted to her decision:
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India legend with unparalleled records
Mithali made her debut in 1999 at the age of 16. Being a teenager at that time, she burst into the scene by slamming a century in her ODI debut against Ireland. She holds the record of youngest woman cricketer in ODI to slam a century till date.
She led Team India to the finals of two World Cups, in 2005 and 2017 but unfortunately the team couldn’t get the trophies. She also holds the record for the most matches captained in World Cup and broke Australian Belinda Clark‘s record. Also, she led the team to four consecutive Asia Cup triumphs (2005-2012). She is also the first batter to score seven fifties in a row in women’s ODIs. Her contribution to Indian cricket team has awarded her with Arjuna award, Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
She has 7805 runs in 232 ODIs, with seven centuries and an average of 50.68. It’s the top score in ODI cricket and she is 1813 runs ahead of England legend Charlotte Edwards. Also, she is India’s only double-centurion (214 vs England in 2002) even though she played only 12 Tests. And she also holds the overall highest run with her 10,868. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur are the two contenders to fill Mithali Raj’s place.
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Gouri Das
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