Name Hindi: मिताली राज / Gender Woman
Mithali Raj: The Inspiring Talisman of Women’s Cricket
Mithali Dorai Raj , the name that revolutionised women’s cricket in India, was born on December 3, 1982. Her journey to becoming the iconic cricketer and captain she is known as today started more than two decades ago. One of her primary achievements includes being the highest female run-scorer in international cricket.
A Journey Filled with Challenges
Raj was born into a Tamil family in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Despite no formal training initially, her raw talent for cricket soon propelled her onto an enriched and record-breaking path. Yet her journey to stardom wasn’t easy. Though nothing deterred this unstoppable force from taking Indian women’s cricket to new heights.
Career Highlights: Records fall before Mighty Mithali
- In 2002, at just 19 years old, she scored a double century (214 runs) against England in the second and final test at Taunton which held as a world record until it was broken by Kiran Baluch of Pakistan in 2004.
- She made her debut as Captain of the Indian team in April 2005 during a series with Australia – India even managed their first Test victory under her leadership.
- Raj became the first player to score seven consecutive 50s in ODIs at the World Cup held in Sri Lanka in February 2017.
- In July same year, she created another global history by surpassing England’s Charlotte Edwards to become the all-time leading run-scorer in Women’s One Day Internationals.
- In August 2021, during India’s tour of England, Raj became the first woman cricketer to complete 20 years in international cricket.
Awards and Recognition earned by Mithali Raj
Besides her incredible record-breaking feats on the pitch, Raj has been honoured with several accolades for her contributions in lifting Women’s Cricket:
- In 2003, she was bestowed upon the prestigious ‘Arjuna Award’, one of India’s highest sporting honours presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- The next exceptional recognition came in 2015 when she became a recipient of Padma Shri- the fourth-highest civilian award in India.
- She was also included in BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2020.
Mithali Raj continues to inspire countless upcoming female cricketers not just within India but across the globe. Her career is proof that no path is too tough or dream too big if you have determination equivalent to your talent. Long may she continue blazing trails for women’s cricket!
