Celebrating India’s Greatest Women’s Cricket Legend and former skipper Mithali Raj on her 43rd Birthday.
Few names resonate as profoundly in women’s cricket as Mithali Dorai Raj, who turns 43 today, December 3, 2025. Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Mithali’s career has been synonymous with elegance, dogged determination, and a pioneering spirit that transformed Indian women’s cricket.
Spanning over two decades, her journey from a prodigious 16-year-old debutant to India’s most prolific run-scorer across formats is a narrative of records, resilience, and relentless leadership.
The ODI Maestro: Foundation of Indian Women’s Cricket
Mithali Raj’s ODI debut came on 26th June 1999 against Ireland at Milton Keynes, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Over 232 ODI appearances, she amassed 7,805 runs at a striking average of 50.68, punctuated by 7 centuries and 64 half-centuries, a testament to her consistency and class. Amongst her many standout performances was a commanding unbeaten 125 against Sri Lanka in September 2018, where her 14 boundaries and a six nearly steered India to victory.
Even three years after retiring, Mithali Raj remains miles ahead on the run charts. 👊
Wishing the GOAT @M_Raj03 a very Happy Birthday. 🐐💙#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/3JmFWZyYM8
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 3, 2025
Mithali’s leadership in ODIs saw India reach unprecedented heights, notably leading the team to two ICC Women’s ODI World Cup finals (2005 and 2017). In the prestigious tournament, she scored 1,321 runs in 38 matches, maintaining a formidable average of 47.17 and a strike rate of 67.67, including 11 fifties and two centuries. Her iconic 109 against New Zealand at Derby in the 2017 World Cup highlighted her ability to perform under pressure. Though India narrowly missed the title on both occasions, losing to Australia and England respectively, Mithali’s role as captain was pivotal in raising India’s international stature.
She retired in June 2022 as the top run-scorer in women’s international cricket, having amassed 10,868 runs in total. Her ODI records reflect not only personal excellence but also groundbreaking contributions to Indian women’s cricket, holding multiple records such as most matches (232), most consecutive matches (109), and most half-centuries (71) in ODIs. She also had the longest career in Women’s ODIs, spanning 22 Years and 274 Days. She also holds the record for the most number of matches (155 matches) as a captain in the Women’s ODIs.
T20I Impact: The Steady Anchor
In the shortest international format, Mithali debuted in August 2006 against England and played 89 matches, scoring 2,364 runs with a steady average of 37.52. She scored 17 half-centuries but fell just short of a T20I century, with her highest inning being a thrilling 97* against Malaysia in 2018. In ICC T20 World Cups, she stood among India’s best with 726 runs in 24 matches, maintaining an average over 40 and a strike rate close to 97.31.
As captain, Mithali’s T20 record was balanced, with around a 53% win rate, guiding India through multiple campaigns, including the 2016 home World Cup. Her graceful batting style, combined with her meticulous innings-building, made her a reliable anchor amid the more explosive players.
Test Match Prowess: The Pillar of Technique
Though women’s cricket Test matches are far fewer, Mithali’s presence was remarkable. She played 12 Tests between 2002 and 2014, scoring 699 runs at an average of 43.68. Her crowning achievement in Tests is an extraordinary double century (214 runs) against England at Taunton in 2002, a milestone that remains one of the finest innings in Indian women’s cricket history.
Her technical soundness and refined stroke play were the hallmarks of her Test batting, embodying patience and precision. As one of the 4th youngest to captain (22 Years and 353 Days) and score a double hundred in Tests (19 Years and 254 Days), Mithali’s achievements in the format underscore her all-format versatility.
Leadership and Legacy: The Torchbearer of a Generation
Mithali Raj’s career is remarkable not just for her runs and records but also for the pioneering leadership she provided to Indian women’s cricket. She captained India for a record 155 ODIs, steering the team with a commendable win percentage of around 57% in women’s ODIs. Under her captaincy, Indian women’s cricket saw increased recognition, professionalism, and respect globally.
Her battle against challenges, on and off the field, such as the 2018 T20 World Cup controversy and navigating the evolving landscape of women’s cricket, has only strengthened her legacy as a resilient trailblazer. She has played a massive part alongside the former legends like Jhulan Goswami, Anjum Chopra and many more in lifting the women’s game into the limelight among the fans, particularly in India.
A Fitting Tribute: Witnessing India’s Glory
Though Mithali retired from international cricket in 2022, her impact remains indelible. Last month, in November, during the historic 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka, Mithali celebrated a new chapter as part of the broadcasting team. The emotional highlight came at the finale in Navi Mumbai, where she, alongside Jhulan Goswami, Anjum Chopra, proudly lifted the World Cup trophy handed over by India’s victorious captain Harmanpreet Kaur. It was a poignant moment, symbolising the passage of the torch and recognising the foundations laid by Mithali and the earlier generations for India’s maiden senior ICC title.
On her 43rd birthday, the cricketing world salutes Mithali Raj, not just a record-holder but the very embodiment of Indian women’s cricketing spirit. From her debut in 1999 to becoming the leading run-scorer in international women’s cricket, from clutch performances in World Cups to exemplary leadership, her journey is a blueprint of excellence and dedication.
As Indian women’s cricket continues to soar to new heights, Mithali Raj’s legacy will inspire generations to come. Her story is a testament to how talent, perseverance, and humility can transcend barriers, creating history and forging a path for future stars of the game.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.