New Delhi:
Cricket fraternity has congratulated cricket star Mithali Raj after she announced retirement following a glorious international career of 23 years.
Former India batter and current National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman shared the wishes on Twitter,”To play for India is a dream a very few fulfill and to be able represent the nation for 23 years is just amazing. You have been a pillar to Women’s Cricket in India and have shaped the lives of many young girls. Many congratulations on a phenomenal career @M_Raj03.”
Harbhajan Singh have also shared his words of praises for the Indian star. “You have inspired many to take the bat and play for India! Be very proud of your career @M_Raj03 It was an absolute delight to watch you in blue. All the very best for your future,” wrote Harbhajan.
Mithali is retiring as the leading run-scorer in the women’s ODIs. She represented India in 232 matches, scoring 7805 runs at an average of 50.68. In Tests, Mithali has smashed 699 runs in 12 matches with a brilliant average of 43.68. She also has 2364 runs in 89 T20Is.
Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer wrote, “Towards the end of her career, Mithali had been in form longer than some of her teammates had been alive. That’s how long she served Indian cricket. Congratulations and thank you @M_Raj03. Good luck for your second innings.”
Mithali, who made her debut in 2002, is regarded as the greatest Indian women’s batter. She captained the side to two 50-over World Cups.
“In India, the name Mithali Raj has been synonymous to women’s cricket. You have been an inspiration to millions all over the world. My best wishes to you for your future endeavours,” wrote Dinesh Karthik.
Former cricketer Reema Malhotra also wished the cricketer as she wrote, “Congratulations @M_Raj03 on one beautiful journey. Fortunate to have played alongside. You’ve inspired oodles of young girls to take up the sport. Your name shall remained etched forever in the hearts of cricket fans. Well played, truly.”
At 16, Raj scored an unbeaten 114 on her ODI debut and soon established herself as a vital clog in India’s batting order. In October 2019, Raj, at 36, became the first woman to complete two decades in ODI cricket. Mithali Raj is currently in the seventh position in the latest ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings, released on Tuesday.
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