HomeAthletesBiographiesMithali Raj : The Record Maker Of Indian Women Cricket
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Mithali Raj : The Record Maker Of Indian Women Cricket

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Born on 3rd Dec 1982, Mithali Dorai Raj is an Indian woman cricketer and the captain of India’s women’s cricket team. Born to a Tamil family, Mithali started playing at the age of 10. A little unknown fact is that she loves dancing and was deeply passionate about it. However, she chose cricket over dance and we are not complaining! Mithali Raj is known for composure at the crease along with the ability of scoring runs briskly. In addition to that, she can also roll in some vital bowing performances with her arm over bowling leg-spinners. In this blog, we will explore the biography of Mithali Raj, her cricket career, record, stats, family, awards, etc.

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About Mithali Raj

Full NameMithali Dorai Raj
Date of BirthDecember 3, 1982
Place of BirthJodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Playing RoleTop Order Batter
Batting StyleRight-handed
Bowling StyleRight-arm leg break
International DebutODI: June 26, 1999 against Ireland
 Test: January 14, 2002 against England
 T20I: August 5, 2006 against England
Teams Played forIndia Women’s National Cricket Team
Major Achievements
  • Most runs in Women’s ODIs
  • First Indian cricketer to score 7,000 runs in Women’s ODIs
  • Led India to the final of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup
  • Arjun and Padma Shri awardee

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Mithali Raj Biography – Career

Early Life

Mithali attended Keyes High School for Girls in Secunderabad. She went to Kasturba Junior College for further studies. She started training for cricket during her school days.

Mithali was picked up for the Indian Team when she was 17. Two years later, at the age of 19, she arose as one of the most promising and talented batsmen when she scored a whopping 214 against the England team in the final test held in Taunton. That was just the start for the budding star. There was no look back for Mithali ever since. Popularly also known as “Lady Sachin” due to her commendable performance, she is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket.

Success

Rising through the ranks, Mithali Raj made her way to both the Test as well as the One Day International cricket for India’s women’s cricket team. Moreover, she was even speculated to be included in the 1997 Women’s Cricket World Cup at the age of 14, owing to her immense talent. However, she failed to make the final cut.

Nonetheless, Raj did make her One Day International debut two years later in 1999 against Ireland at Milton Keynes. What was the most impressive thing about the debut was the fact that Raj scored an unbeaten 114 runs. The Test debut soon followed in the 2001–02 season against South Africa at India. There was no looking back after that.

On 17 August that season, Raj broke the world record of scoring the highest individual score in the women’s Test. The then 19-year-old, playing in her third Test, she scored a massive 214 against England, thus breaking Karen Rolton’s record of scoring the world’s highest individual Test score of 209*.

The record stood was broken two years later by Pakistan’s Kiran Baluch, who hit 242 against West Indies in March 2004.


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2005 World Cup Success

The 2005 World Cup was going to be a highly anticipated contest, with the competition making a return after 5 long years. Having seen the first encounter being called off due to heavy rains, the Indian team went on to win the next three matches. Although the Women in Blue lost the encounter against New Zealand, they still managed to end at second place in the eight-team table.

Waiting in the semifinals for the team were familiar foes in New Zealand. The Indian team needed a solid start in the first innings, having asked to bat first. It was in this time that Mithali Raj rose to the occasion.

A real athlete’s qualities are highlighted when he performs in a not-so-encouraging atmosphere. And Mithali Raj did just that. Having seen her team decimate to 127-4, the blazing batsman scored an unbeaten 91* to help India reach a defendable total of 204. They then bowled out the Kiwis for a measly 164 runs to win by 40 runs. Had it not been for Raj’s heroics, the story could have been something else.

However, in the finals against table-toppers, Australia, India’s batting again faltered, wrapping up for only 117 while chasing 215.

Milestone Moments

In the following year in August, Mithali Raj guided India to their maiden Test series victory over England, in England. Under her leadership, the country then managed to clinch the 2006 Asia Cup. India repeated the feat the second time in 12 months – without dropping out of a single game.

Then in May 2008, she led India to their 4th successive Asia Cup title. Moreover, Raj also crossed the 3000-run landmark on the way.

After a poor English tour later that year, where India couldn’t win a single match, Raj lost her captain’s armband.


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Nonetheless, the fierce tigress from Jodhpur was not going to stay quiet for too long. Raj earned her captaincy back with her outstanding performances in the exact tour where she had lost it – the England tour of 2012. She won the top spot in the ICC’s ODI batting rankings with 251 runs. However, she couldn’t save the series with her brilliant performances, as India went on to go down 2-3.

However, Mithali Raj couldn’t get appreciable support from his fellow women cricketers. Despite her stunning performances, India made a first-round exit in the 2013 Women’s World Cup at home. Then in the Women’s World T20 2014, Raj couldn’t stop her team from bowing out from the semi-finals.

Nonetheless, Mithali continued to score runs on a highly consistent basis. In February 2017, she became only the 2nd player to go past the 5,500 runs in WODIs. However, she bettered that feat in July 2017, by becoming the first women batswoman to cross 6,000 runs in the limited-overs format.

Success in 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup

Having faced disappointment in the competition thus far, India and Mithali Raj both had a point to prove at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Unlike previously, this time, the team had a slew of talented youngsters to take care of the proceedings.

In the group stage, India won the first four matches. Of the bunch, the third was the sweetest, having come at the expense of fierce rivals Pakistan. The team finished third in the table, thus qualifying for the semi-finals.


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In the last group match against New Zealand, Mithali Raj scored a massive knock of 109 runs to help India reach a respectable total of 265/7. The women’s team then floored Blackcaps for only 79 runs to enter the semi-finals with a 187 run-win, their biggest victory in World Cup. Incidentally, it was also the lowest score in New Zealand.  where the team lost to England by nine runs.

Defeating Australia by 36 runs in the semis, the Indian women marched their way to win the World Cup trophy that had eluded them for so long. Their swift progress had attracted the entire country’s attention.

In the epic finale, India managed to restrict the host England to an achievable total of 228. However, the second innings panned out disappointingly for Raj, who got run-out after scoring just 17 runs. Although opener Poonam Raut did put up a valiant fight with a knock of 86 runs, India would go on to heartbreakingly lose by only 8 runs.

In December 2017, Mithali Raj was included in the list of the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year.


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Playing Style of Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj record ODI
Mithali Raj plays her 200th ODI on Friday. Image Source: Wisden

A right-handed batsman, Mithali Raj has emerged as one of the best batting exports from the country – Not only in terms of technique but also inconsistency. She has emerged arguably India’s most dependable bats. What makes her so lethal is her composure and patience when playing at the crease. She has the capability to score runs in brisk fashion, making her a dangerous batsman.

Moreover, Raj can build partnerships or hit quick-fire innings when the team needs her. Her ever-present form has seen her score heavily both in the one-dayers as well as the Tests. Apart from her ability with the bat, Raj can also chip in a few arms over bowling leg-spinners, providing depth to any attack. She does it all by still effectively captaining the side. In fact, Mithali Raj she holds the unique record of captaining the most matches for India in both WODI and T20I.

Mithali Raj Family


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mithali Raj (@mithaliraj)

Mithali is a Tamilian. Her father, Dorai Raj was in the Indian Air Force and her mother’s name is Leela Raj who was not very fond of this sport but was always supportive of her daughter’s career. Mithali has a brother, Mithun Raj. Interestingly enough, Raj is still unmarried.


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Mithali raj at KreedOn
Cricketer Mithali with her parents (Source: newsmobile)

Mithali Raj Achievements

  • In 1999, she scored 114 runs (not out) in her One Day International debut against Ireland.
  • In 2005, she led the Indian cricket team to the World Cup finals. Unfortunately, they lost the finals to Australia.
  • She holds the record for having the highest individual score by an Indian Woman cricketer in a world cup match.  She scored 91 runs out of 104 balls against New Zealand in 2005’s Women’s World Cup.
  • Mithali was ranked world no. 1 cricketer in the ODI chart at the Women’s World Cup 2013.
  • She became the first player to score 6000 runs in Women’s ODI in 2017.
  • Later in 2017, she was placed in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year.
  • One of the many records she made, includes playing the most number of WODIs (109) consecutively for a team.

Mithali Raj Awards

  • Arjuna Award: 2003
  • Padma Shri: 2015
  • Vogue Sportsperson of the year: 2017
Mithali Raj at KreedOn
Source: cricketcountry

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Mithali Raj Net worth

According to finapp website, her estimated net worth is 1 million dollars which comprise of the following:

Estimated Net WorthRs. 37 Crores
ODI Match FeeRs.100,000
Test Match FeeRs.1,50,000
Luxury Cars –02Rs.80,00,000

She owns a BMW and her house is worth 2.2 crores as of now. She bought this house in the year 2012 in Hyderabad, Telangana.

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Mithali Raj Stats

Mithali Raj Career Batting Stats

FORMATMatInnsNORunsHSAve100s50sCtSt
WTEST1219369921443.6814120
WODI232211577805125*50.68764640
WT20I898421236497*37.52017190

Mithali Raj Career Bowling Stats

FORMATMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
WTEST125723202.66000
WODI232101719183/43/411.373.1921.3000
WT20I8916606.00000

Mithali Raj Social Media


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mithali Raj (@mithaliraj)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mithali Raj (@mithaliraj)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mithali Raj (@mithaliraj)


FAQs

What is Mithali Raj’s full name?

Mithali Raj’s full name is Mithali Dorai Raj.

Which teams has Mithali Raj played for?

Mithali Raj has played for the India Women’s National Cricket Team.

Has Mithali Raj ever captained the Indian cricket team?

Mithali Raj has captained the Indian women’s cricket team. She served as the captain for several years, leading the team in both Test matches and limited-overs formats.

Has Mithali Raj received any awards for her contributions to cricket?

Mithali Raj has received several awards for her outstanding performances in cricket. She has been honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri, which are among the highest civilian awards in India.

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Amrita pandey
Amrita pandey
Amrita is a content writer/editor and social media manager at KreedOn. Amrita looks after the content creation and marketing of the website. Her love for sports made her join this organization where her intention is to help every athlete get the recognition they deserve through her profession. Amrita started writing when only sketching cartoons at the back of her notebook seemed a little too vague for a school pass out.

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