A name that is synonymous with strength, inspiration and substance, Mithali Raj has been creating ripples in the field of cricket. She is not only the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team but also a woman who has been inspiring many, shattering stereotypes and glass ceiling with her bat.
Recently, Raj was conferred the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by India’s president, Ram Nath Kovind. This made her the first female cricketer to receive this award. Her career trajectory is worth tracing, as it can be a source of motivation and encouragement for many.
Who is Mithali Raj?
Born less than a decade after the Women's Cricket Association of India was formed in 1973, Mithali Dorai Raj (born 3 December 1982) is a veteran Indian cricketer, as we know. She is spearheading as the Test and ODI captain of the women's national cricket team.
Raj’s love for cricket was born when she was just 10 years old, as she and her elder brother both took cricket coaching in school. She played cricket for the Indian railways and then went on to make her ODI debut in 1999.
The 39-year-old cricketer hails from Jodhpur, Rajasthan and is a right-handed opening batswoman and often a right-arm leg break bowler. She is also the highest run-scorer in the history of women’s international cricket. What’s more, she is also the only female cricketer to surpass the 7,000 run mark in women’s ODI matches.
Mithali Raj’s Cricket Journey
She was only 16 when she played her first ODI match in 1999. But even then, she scored a whopping 114 against Ireland, becoming the youngest female player to do so. Ever since then, there has been no looking back for Raj.
In 2005, Raj went on to become the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. In fact, she is the only woman who has captained India more than once in the ICC World Cup final. She led the women’s cricket team for the same, once in 2005 and once in 2017.
Mithali Raj heralded India to the 2005 World Cup final with her incredible captaincy. Though India couldn’t win against Australia in that one, her performance was applauded the world over. In fact, she went on to contribute immensely to India winning the Test series against England later and also led India to win the Asia Cup later that year.
In 2003, Raj won the Arjuna award. She is also a Padma Shree awardee and now, has the Khel Ratna conferred upon her.
Often called the pillar of Indian women’s cricket, Raj is known for scoring quick runs and maintaining her balance of mind in high-stress situations.
Cricket Records Made By Mithali Raj
Raj is the leading female run-scorer in ODIs with a total of 7391 runs in the 50-over format to be proud of. She also leads in India for T20I with 2364 runs. In the test, Raj is the fourth-best Indian female cricketer with 699 runs from 19 innings (12 matches).
The veteran cricketer also holds a record for playing the highest number of ODI matches in women’s cricket. In fact, Raj also leads as a female cricketer who played the highest number of consecutive OFI matches with the number being a smashing 109, as a player. She comes second in the same category, but as a captain with a score of 58.
Raj also holds the record for scoring the most half-centuries as a female cricketer. Again, she holds the record for the highest number of consecutive fifties in the format.
Not just that, Raj is a female cricketer who has the longest ODI career with a span of more than 22 years as of today. Following her is Jhulan Goswami, who has had an ODI career for more than 19 years now.
The lowest point of Mithali Raj’s career
Back in 2002, Raj had typhoid the CricInfo Women's World Cup which felt like a stagnating point of India’s growth in women’s cricket. However, she says that the lowest point in her career was the 2013 Women's Cricket World Cup, which was hosted by India itself. Although India, under the leadership of Raj, started the tournament with a bang, the winner of the tournament ended up being Australia.
Raj was so disappointed by the loss, she said that this point in her career was lower than the controversies she was dragged into. She said that since India was the host, it would have been the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the Indian women’s cricket team’s calibre.
The first female cricketer to win the Khel Ratna award
In November 2021, Raj was given one of the highest sports honour in India by none other than Indian President Ram Nath Kovind. In an elaborate event held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Raj was given the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
She has received several awards so far including an Arjuna award in 2003, a Padma Shri in 2015, Youth Sports Icon of Excellence Award in 2017, Vogue Sportsperson of the Year in 2017, Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World also in 2017 and finally, the Khel Ratna in 2021.
Mithali Raj will leave a legacy behind as Indian women’s cricket team captain
It’s not always been rosy in her career as the Indian women’s cricket team’s captain. There have been low points in her career, losses and controversies. However, Raj has emerged as a force to reckon with the number of records she holds and the awards she has won. Her calibre as the captain has been evident in the growth that women’s cricket India has achieved.
However, Raj intends to retire after the 2022 World Cup. “It's been 21 years of international cricket and I know 2022 is my swansong, The World Cup. The last year is equal to the 20 years of my international cricket. I know we are in difficult times but it takes a lot out of me to keep working on my fitness. I am not getting any younger, in fact, I am getting older and I know the importance of fitness,” Raj revealed at the virtual launch of the book 1971: The Beginning of India's Cricketing Greatness.
As captain, Raj was close to shining with the trophy in the 2005 World Cup but India lost Australia in the final. In 2017 again, India couldn’t win the World Cup. 2022 is her final chance to hold the ICC trophy.
Mithali Raj took Indian women’s cricket to a whole new level
Raj took India to the finals of the World Cup early in her career in 2005, as the captain of the team. So far India has made two ICC World Cup finals. The team has proved itself to be as capable as the men’s cricket team, breaking gender stereotypes in every way.
While Raj as a captain still makes much less than what Kohli did, the Indian women’s cricket team has money pouring in with sponsorships. In fact, analysts say that India will be able to challenge the legacy of Australia and England in ICC matches in the coming years.
In fact, though Raj is often touted as Lady Sachin (Tendulkar), she says she would like to be known as “the Mithali Raj of women's cricket.” Her advice to women is that they should follow their dreams, as everyone deserves the equal opportunity to excel in life.
Lessons we can learn from Mithali Raj
Here are a few things we can learn from Raj.
· Keep calm, even in high-stress situations: She is known to be calm in high-stress matches and often, that’s all it takes for her to turn things around.
· Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot achieve: When she became a cricketer, women’s cricket was in its budding stage. She didn’t let a lack of opportunities and funding and gender stereotypes deter her from achieving her goals.
· Don’t be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for your own identity: Being called Lady Sachin is great, but she prefers to carve her name in the minds of people.
· Use your regrets to power through, not cry over spilt milk: Even though she couldn’t lead India to win the World Cup twice, and the 2013 Women's Cricket World Cup was the lowest point in her career, she is all set to shine through in 2022’s World Cup.
Mithali Raj, a woman of substance and a veteran cricketer
Raj, even after she gives up her captaincy after the 2022 World Cup will remain a name that will inspire not just aspiring and current female sportswomen but women across the world. She has proved to be a woman who believed in herself and exhibited her immense calibre and leadership skills time and again.
FAQs
Q: What is the name of the upcoming biopic on Mithali Raj?
A: Titled Shabaash Mithu, the biopic of Indian cricketer Mithali Raj will star Taapsee Pannu in the lead role.
Q: When did Mithali Raj become the Indian women’s cricket team’s captain?
A: Mithali Raj became the Indian women’s cricket team’s captain in the year 2005.
Images courtesy: Instagram/MithaliRaj