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I might have normalised girls playing cricket on the streets: Mithali Raj on her legacy

Mithali Raj hasn't exactly gone through an entire gamut of emotions after calling time on her 23-year illustrious career last week. Mithali knew her time had come after the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand but since she doesn't like to take big decisions in a jiffy, the 39-year-old waited for couple of months before announcing her retirement. In an exclusive interview to PTI, inarguably Indian women's cricket's biggest icon spoke on a range of issues covering her legacy, experiences of playing in pre and post BCCI era, team's "inconsistent run" in the last five years, "differences in the dressing room" during the 2022 World Cup, and the 'Gen-Next' of India players.

"Common To See Girls Playing Cricket On Streets": Women's Cricket Legend Mithali Raj On Her Legacy To NDTV

Legendary Indian cricketer Mithali Raj announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on June 8. After over two decades in the international arena, Mithali retired as the leading run-getter in women's ODIs. She represented India in 232 matches, scoring 7805 runs at an average of 50.68. She had earlier announced her retirement from T20 internationals. Mithali made her international debut in June 1999, in an ODI against Ireland. She had captained India to two ICC Women's World Cup finals, the latest being in 2017 when the Indian women lost a closely fought final to England at a jam packed Lord's Cricket Stadium.

Mithali Raj a catalyst in the growth of Indian women's cricket, but the writing was on the wall for her, says former India captain Anjum Chopra

Mithali Raj deciding to bring the curtain down on her international career wasn't really a very big surprise, but it was in many ways the end of an era. In an international career dating back to 1999, Mithali played over 300 international matches across all three formats, scoring over 10,000 international runs.

Mithali Raj Played Huge Role In Raising Profile Of Women's Cricket: ICC CEO

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated India legend, Mithali Raj, for an outstanding 23-year international career during which she broke several records. The 39-year-old, who announced her retirement from all international cricket on Wednesday, led India in this year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. She had earlier retired from T20Is in September 2019.

Watch - "For All The Young Girls...": After Mithali Raj's Retirement, New India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, BCCI Pay Moving Tribute

A glorious career came to an end on Wednesday as Mithali Raj bid adieu to international cricket. For over two decades, Mithali gave Indian cricket many memorable moments. The legendary batter conquered several peaks during her long stint. She became the leading run-getter in women's international cricket in July 2021. She went past England's Charlotte Edwards (10,273 runs). Edwards and Raj remain the only two women cricketers to have breached the 10,000 run-mark. The 39-year-old Mithali is also the leading run-scorer in women's ODIs with a tally of 7805 runs in 232 matches. Her ODI career average stands at 50.68.

Raj era ends as Mithali retires from all forms of international cricket

Mithali Raj, the most capped player and highest runscorer in the history of women’s cricket, India’s most successful women’s captain, and a legend who inspired many young girls to take up the game, brought the curtains down on a glittering 23-year career on Wednesday. Having made her debut as a 16-year-old in 1999, Mithali went on to play 12 Tests, 232 ODIs and 89 T20Is. Her aggregate of 10,868 international runs in 333 matches — ODIS, Tests and T20I — will take some beating. The 39-year-old scored 7,805 runs at an average of 50.7 in ODIs — a world record — and led India to 89 victories in 155 ODIs, the most for any woman captain.

Harmanpreet Kaur Replaces Mithali Raj As ODI Captain, No Jhulan Goswami For SL Series

Harmanpreet Kaur was on Wednesday named India women's team captain for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka on a day when her ODI predecessor Mithali Raj announced her international retirement. Harmanpreet, who remains T20I skipper, and Smriti Mandhana were in the running to replace Mithali in the 50-over format. Eventually, the selectors have gone for the 33-year-old Harmanpreet over the 25-year-old Mandhana. India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs against Sri Lanka in Dambulla and Kandy, starting June 23. It will be India's first assignment since the early exit from the ODI World Cup in March.

An era in women's cricket ends as Mithali Raj retires

women's cricket, which spanned more than two decades, came to a 'reluctant' end on Wednesday. Hyderabad's legendary player Mithali Raj, who was literally 'pushed' into the game by her mother Leela Raj, finally called it quits. Mithali has set several records in her illustrious career and her aggregate of 10,868 international runs in 333 matches — ODIS, Tests and T2OI — will take some beating. With most runs in women's cricket and the only Indian captain - man or woman - to have led the side in two 50-over World Cup finals, the 39-year-old, however, retires without the World Cup trophy in her cabinet.

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I might have normalised girls playing cricket on the streets: Mithali Raj on her legacy

"Common To See Girls Playing Cricket On Streets": Women's Cricket Legend Mithali Raj On Her Legacy To NDTV

Mithali Raj a catalyst in the growth of Indian women's cricket, but the writing was on the wall for her, says former India captain Anjum Chopra

Mithali Raj Played Huge Role In Raising Profile Of Women's Cricket: ICC CEO

Watch - "For All The Young Girls...": After Mithali Raj's Retirement, New India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, BCCI Pay Moving Tribute

Raj era ends as Mithali retires from all forms of international cricket

Harmanpreet Kaur Replaces Mithali Raj As ODI Captain, No Jhulan Goswami For SL Series

An era in women's cricket ends as Mithali Raj retires