Mithali Raj

Mithali Dorai Raj (born 3 December 1982) is a former Indian women’s international cricketer and captain. Widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in the history of women’s cricket, she is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket and the longest-serving captain of the Indian women’s national team.

Mithali Raj
Full name	Mithali Dorai Raj
Born	3 December 1982 Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Nationality	Indian
Role	Top-order batter
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm leg break
International span	1999–2022
Domestic teams	Air India, Railways, Supernovas, Velocity
Captaincy	India (2004–2022)

Early Life and Background

Mithali Raj was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, into a Tamil family. Her father, Dorai Raj, served as a warrant officer in the Indian Air Force, while her mother, Leela Raj, managed the household. She spent her early childhood in various cities due to her father’s postings before settling in Hyderabad.

Before cricket, Raj trained in Bharatanatyam and remained a state-level classical dancer. She was introduced to cricket at the age of ten when she began accompanying her elder brother to practice sessions. Her talent was soon identified by coaches, and she started formal training while studying at Keyes High School for Girls and later Kasturba Gandhi Junior College in Hyderabad.

Domestic Career

Raj began her domestic career with Air India, where she played alongside several established Indian players. She later joined the Railways women’s team, representing them for over two decades and becoming a central figure in their domestic dominance.

She also featured in franchise and exhibition tournaments, representing Supernovas and Velocity in the Women’s T20 Challenge.

International Career

Early Breakthrough

Mithali Raj made her One Day International debut in 1999 against Ireland at the age of 16, scoring an unbeaten 114. She made her Test debut during the 2001–02 season and gained global recognition in 2002 after scoring 214 against England, then the highest individual score in women’s Test cricket.

Records and Leadership

Across a 23-year international career, Raj set multiple records. She became the first woman to score over 7,000 ODI runs and later surpassed Charlotte Edwards to become the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats.

She captained India for nearly 18 years and led the team to the finals of the 2005 and 2017 ICC Women’s World Cups. She also became the most-capped woman cricketer in ODIs, playing her 200th match in 2019.

In July 2021, she became the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket history. She announced her retirement from international cricket on 8 June 2022.

Playing Style

Raj was known for her composure, defensive technique, and ability to anchor innings under pressure. Her batting emphasized placement, timing, and consistency rather than power-hitting, making her a stabilizing presence at the top order.

Awards and Recognition

Mithali Raj has received numerous national and international honors, including:

• Arjuna Award (2003)
• Padma Shri (2015)
• Khel Ratna Award (2021)
• Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2017)
• BBC 100 Women (2017)

Post-Retirement

Following her retirement, Raj has remained involved in cricket as a mentor, consultant, and commentator. She has been associated with initiatives aimed at developing grassroots women’s cricket in India and has contributed strategic insights on the growth of the women’s game.

A biographical film based on her life, Shabaash Mithu, was released in 2022, further bringing her journey into the public spotlight.

Legacy

Mithali Raj is widely credited with transforming the perception and structure of women’s cricket in India. Her longevity, leadership, and professionalism laid the foundation for the modern Indian women’s cricket ecosystem and inspired a generation of players.