On Tuesday, Former India T20I captain Mithali Raj announced her retirement from T20 internationals in order to focus on one-day cricket, keeping 2021 50-over World Cup in mind.
Mithali Raj Announced Her Retirement From T20 Cricket
The 36-year-old senior opener continues to be India’s ODI captain, she has seen last played a T20 international against England Women in Guwahati in March this year. The news has been confirmed by the BCCI in a mail.
Mithali has captained the country in 32 T20Is, which also comprised of the three women’s T20 World Cups in 2012 (Sri Lanka), 2014 (Bangladesh) as well as 2016 (India).
Mithali, who had captained Indian women’s first-ever T20I played in Derby back in the year 2006 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,”
Mithali has achived many records and she is also the first Indian cricketer in order to reach the landmark of 2000 T20I runs.
Mithali concluded her T20I career as India’s top-scorer in the format with total 2364 runs from 89 matches at an average of 37.5 as well as a highest score of 97 not out. Her last match was played in March against England in Guwahati.
Mithali Raj Wiki, Bio, Age
There was a huge anticipation on whether the veteran batsman is going to be well-thought-out by the selectors for the upcoming home series against South Africa, with the single-mindedness on youngsters in advance of next year’s T20 World Cup which is going to be held in Australia.
However, Mithali had previously made herself accessible for the series. The selectors are planned to meet in Mumbai on September 5 in order to pick the squad for the first three T20 Internationals which is going to be held against South Africa.
Mithali has led India in total of 32 T20Is which also comprises of three Women’s WT20 World Cups held in 2012 (Sri Lanka), 2014 (Bangladesh) and 2016 (India). She also captained India Women’s first-ever T20I played in Derby back in the year 2006. After that win against England Women, Mithali played additional total of 88 games in which she scored 2364 runs, setting the record of the most score attained by an Indian woman in T20Is. Mithali is also the first Indian to reach the landmark of 2000 T20I runs.
“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,” Mithali was quoted as saying in the BCCI press release.
