The 36-year-old Mithali Raj has announced her retirement from T20 International career today. She claimed that she wants to concentrate on one-day cricket and meticulously focus on 2021 50-over World Cup. So far, Mithali has made the country proud by playing in 32 T20Is, including the three women’s WT20 World Cups in 2012 (Sri Lanka), 2014 (Bangladesh) and 2016 (India).
One of the greatest batswomen of all times, Mithali, said “After representing India in T20 internationals since 2006, I wish to retire from T20Is to focus my energies on readying myself for the 2021 One Day World Cup”. The T20s career ends for Mithali with the title, India’s top-scorer, with 2364 runs from 89 matches.
In 1999, Mithali made her T20I debut and in March this year, she played her last against England. Her other milestone was that she is the first Indian woman to reach 2000 T20I runs. “It remains my dream to win a World Cup for my country and I want to give it my best. I thank the BCCI for their continuous support and wish the Indian T20 team good luck as they prepare for the home series against South Africa Women,” she said in a BCCI press release.
Overall, Mithali played 203 ODIs and scored 6720 runs and also played in 10 Tests with 663 runs. This prolific run-scorer retirement news has left her fans a bit sad, however, she is an epitome for her fierce individualism. Congratulating Mithali over her successful career, we certainly believe that, Mithali is an inspiration to many girls out there. Her contribution to Indian cricket will never be forgotten.
