Scholars often say that your start tells your tale. What better words could one find for Mithali Raj. She has been the ambassador of Indian women cricketer for more than a decade. Her start was as glorious as her journey. Very few people get their names alongside the game. Mithali Raj is one of the few names that billions of Indians hear when they come closer to female cricket.
Today is her day and the 26th of June shall always be the day linked with the lioness. Mithali made her debut today. A debut with a classic ton it was. The world was waiting for the new century but instead, we got a new star. The right-hander was just 16 when she set ber foot in the ground for the first time. She was living the dream.
On 21st June 1999, the World woke up to this 16-Year-old little wonder who scored an unbeaten knock of 114 runs at the top of the order and propelled the Indian team to a comprehensive 161 run victory. #21YearsofMithaliRaj pic.twitter.com/6oTtsoWLpl
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 26, 2020
She was wearing her national Jersey on her shoulders. The Indian side was facing Ireland and it was at Milton Keynes. India was batting first and interestingly the openers for India were Mithali Raj and Reshma Gandhi. It was a day carved for them and that too by the stars. Reshma and Mithali got a classic ton against their name. Mithali got unbeaten 114 to her tally and Reshma Gandhi scored 104. Reshma only played a game more.
The match went comfortably into the hands of women in blue. Mithali went on to register her name as India’s most successful cricketer. Very few female batters have come close to the class and consistency of Mithali Raj. Not only India, but her innings had also earned laurel outside the country too. She, in October last year, became the first woman cricketer to have an international career lasting more than 20 years.
She came, she scored, she conquered. She is #MithaliRaj.
Exactly, 21 years ago, she made her ODI Debut. Today, she is the leading run-scorer (6888 Runs) in women’s cricket. #21YearsOfMithaliRaj pic.twitter.com/ZFNn7MkTDc
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 26, 2020
In Indian cricketer or in the global arena, she holds the record for playing most number of matches in Women’s One day International cricket. Mithali has retired from the shortest format and has now channeled herself on getting a world cup for India. Indian cricket needs a cup and who better than the ambassador itself.
Mithali has been an inspiration for all new journeys that have a bat or a ball in the central scheme. Being an experienced campaigner, her inputs can be incredible for the side. Team Female Cricket wishes her the best for the future as a lot of near events rest on the execution from the evergreen Mithali Raj.
Loves all things female cricket