Cricket is the famous sport in India given the craze fans have for it. Comparatively, men's cricket is watched more widely than women's cricket. People are talking about women's cricket when the women in blue came so close to a World Cup win. Even before that one female player made everyone talk about the sport.
Veteran player Mithali Raj, who brought popularity to women's cricket in India bid goodbye to cricket. On Wednesday, she decided to call it quits. Mithali Raj is considered as Sachin Tendulkar of women's cricket as she enjoyed a long career that went on for more than two long decades.
Mithali Raj represented India across platforms for 23 years and added many records to her name. She scored 10,868 runs across platforms, which makes her the leading run-scorer in women's cricket. At 39, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from international cricket.
The legendary player's specialty is that she started playing cricket when there used to be no good facilities and encouragement. People don't even know that even women play cricket in India when she entered the sport. Starting as a player, she led the Indian team as well and gave memorable wins in and outside India.
Just like how Sachin Tendulkar started playing at an early age, Mithali Raj made her debut back in 1999. She was in her teens. Her family took her to cricket coaching as she was a naughty kid. But little do they know that they are going to see a legendary player in their kid.
"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. Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end," Mithali Raj said in a note shared on her Twitter.
"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," the legendary player added.
Veteran player Mithali Raj, who brought popularity to women's cricket in India bid goodbye to cricket. On Wednesday, she decided to call it quits. Mithali Raj is considered as Sachin Tendulkar of women's cricket as she enjoyed a long career that went on for more than two long decades.
Mithali Raj represented India across platforms for 23 years and added many records to her name. She scored 10,868 runs across platforms, which makes her the leading run-scorer in women's cricket. At 39, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from international cricket.
The legendary player's specialty is that she started playing cricket when there used to be no good facilities and encouragement. People don't even know that even women play cricket in India when she entered the sport. Starting as a player, she led the Indian team as well and gave memorable wins in and outside India.
Just like how Sachin Tendulkar started playing at an early age, Mithali Raj made her debut back in 1999. She was in her teens. Her family took her to cricket coaching as she was a naughty kid. But little do they know that they are going to see a legendary player in their kid.
"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. Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end," Mithali Raj said in a note shared on her Twitter.
"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," the legendary player added.