India’s first-ever T20 International captain Mithali Raj has played 89 matches and scored 2364 runs in this format, and no other Indian woman has broken her record yet. She has also captained the team in 32 of these matches and played in the World Cups held in 2014, 2016 and 2012. Today Mithali, one of the most loved and popular cricketers in the women’s team in India, announced her retirement from T20 internationals.
Mithali played her final T20I match against England in Guwahati, where she scored 30 off 32 balls. She finishes as the sixth-highest run-getter in T20l, behind Stafanie Taylor, Charlotte Edwards, Deandra Dottin, Suzie Bates, and Meg Lanning, becoming the only Indian who has scored 2000+ runs.
Reportedly, Mithali has been having some disagreements with the team management regarding the change in the team’s coach, but she still played against South Africa last week. About retiring from T20I, she 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.”
She added, “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.”
We’re hoping her dream comes true and she makes us even more proud. You go, girl!
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