Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj, born on December third, nineteen eighty-two, is a celebrated Indian cricketer who has left an indelible mark on the sport. Captaining the national team from two thousand four to two thousand twenty-two, she is recognized as the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket. Her exceptional talent has earned her a place among the greatest female cricketers of all time, as ranked by ESPN.

Throughout her illustrious career, Raj has amassed numerous accolades, including the prestigious Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in two thousand seventeen, the Arjuna Award in two thousand three, the Padma Shri in two thousand fifteen, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in two thousand twenty-one. She holds remarkable records, being the only female cricketer to surpass seven thousand runs in Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs) and the first to score seven consecutive fifties in ODIs.

In two thousand five, Raj became the permanent captain of the Indian team and made history as the only female player to lead India in more than one ICC ODI World Cup final, participating in the tournaments of two thousand five and two thousand seventeen. Her prowess continued to shine as she became the first Indian player to score two thousand runs in T20Is during the Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup in June two thousand eighteen.

On February first, two thousand nineteen, she achieved another milestone by becoming the first woman to play in two hundred ODI matches. After announcing her retirement from T20Is in September two thousand nineteen to focus on ODIs, she celebrated two decades in international cricket that same year. In July two thousand twenty-one, she surpassed Charlotte Edwards's record of ten thousand two hundred seventy-three runs, becoming the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket.

Finally, on June eighth, two thousand twenty-two, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from all formats of international cricket, closing a remarkable chapter in her life and leaving behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of cricketers.