Former Indian captain Mithali Raj announced retirement from T20 Internationals, confirmed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday.
“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. 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.”
said Mithali in a statement released by the BCCI.
Soon after the news broke out, fans around the world took to Twitter and expressed their disappointment with the news. They also showered congratulatory messages and thanked Mithali Raj for serving India in T20Is for over 13 years.
Here are some of the tweets:
In school, we were taught to bisect a line using a compass. The geometry classes continued to transpire even when I joined the Indian team. Whenever @M_Raj03 di goes out to bat, it is the same. No matter how many fielders are at cover, she always bisects the gap perfectly.
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) September 3, 2019
#BREAKINGNEWS
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 3, 2019
Mithali Raj announces retirement from T20Is. pic.twitter.com/KVQmCMMVMa
Congratulations on a great T20 international career @M_Raj03! You are an inspiration for tons of girls out there 🇮🇳🙏 #MithaliRaj
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) September 3, 2019
Heartiest Congratulations on a wonderful T20 career playing for the country @M_Raj03. You have been inspirational for the game and the nation. Wish you all the best for everything ahead.
— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) September 3, 2019
Thank you #MithaliRaj 🙏 pic.twitter.com/p7U54cmSq7
Mithali Raj decided to quit T20 Internationals after a career spanning 89 matches in which he scored 2364 runs and 17 half-centuries. She led India in 32 T20Is.
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 3, 2019
We congratulate you on your splendid career in the shortest format of the game! #MithaliRaj #ThankYouMithaliRaj pic.twitter.com/PickNzKnrS
Congratulations on a record breaking career @M_Raj03! You’re an icon and role model not just for women but for athletes all over the country! Indian T20’s will not be the same without you!#SidK #MithaliRaj pic.twitter.com/sicZd8IXDO
— Siddharth Kannan (@sidkannan) September 3, 2019
After successfully painting the T20 canvas by being 1st Indian woman to reach the landmark of 2000 runs in T20Is & leading India in ’12, ’14, ’16 WT20, #MithaliRaj retires from the shortest format. Best wishes to the role model of young India. @M_Raj03 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/0qNz9pqopo
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) September 3, 2019
#MithaliRaj the lady blaster, she’s the first Indian woman to reach the landmark of 2000 runs in T20. Announced her retirement from T20 internationals. @M_Raj03 congrats, hatsoff, Thanks for all the wonderful memories.. pic.twitter.com/gadRtJi8sb
— ANIRUDDH DAVE (@aniruddh_dave) September 3, 2019
LEGEND RETIRES!
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 3, 2019
Mithali Raj retires from T20 internationals as the 6th highest run scorer in the women’s game (2,364), and with the highest career average (37.52) of any woman to have scored more than 500+ runs. #ThankYouMithaliRaj @M_Raj03 #MithaliRaj #MithaliRajRetires pic.twitter.com/ZsxLRzXpx1
The prolific Indian cricketer Mithali Raj, the first Indian woman to reach the landmark of 2000 runs in T20 announces retirement from that game format. She says that it is to focus more on the 2021 ODI World Cup. Let’s hope we get to see her best game! #MithaliRaj #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/zkvp62g9qi
— Enthusia VJTI (@enthusiavjti) September 3, 2019
Loves all things female cricket