Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj was born on 3 December 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan to a Tamil speaking family.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mithali-raj-tamil-mother-tongue-twitter-troll-indian-womens-cricket-captain-1609926-2019-10-16 |title=Mithali Raj shuts down troll: Tamil is my mother tongue but above all I am an Indian |website=India Today|date=16 October 2019 }} Her mother is Leela Raj, and her father, Dorai Raj, was a warrant officer in the Indian Air Force. She lives in Hyderabad, Telangana.{{cite news |title=Mithali Raj on pitch, but 1 1-year wait for 500 yards |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/mithali-raj-on-pitch-but-1-1-year-wait-for-500-yards/articleshow/59800990.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731145538/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/mithali-raj-on-pitch-but-1-1-year-wait-for-500-yards/articleshow/59800990.cms |archive-date=31 July 2017 |access-date=28 July 2017 |website=The Times of India |date=28 July 2017}}{{cite news |title=Indian women will play test cricket after eight years, captain Mithali Raj happy |work=Patrika Group |issue=4 August 2014 |url=http://www.patrika.com/news/indian-women-will-play-test-cricket-after-eight-years-captain-mithali-raj-happy/1021699 |url-status=dead |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053426/http://www.patrika.com/news/indian-women-will-play-test-cricket-after-eight-years-captain-mithali-raj-happy/1021699 |archive-date=8 August 2014}}

Raj started playing cricket at the age of ten. She graduated from Keyes High School for Girls in Hyderabad, and Kasturba Gandhi Junior College for Women in Secunderabad.{{cite web |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2017-09-06/Cricketer-Mithali-Raj-felicitated/324598 |title=Cricketer Mithali Raj felicitated |publisher=The Hans India |date=7 September 2017 |access-date=20 August 2022 |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820132751/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2017-09-06/Cricketer-Mithali-Raj-felicitated/324598 |url-status=live}} She received cricket coaching in elementary school alongside her older brother.{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaspeakersbureau.in/mithali-raj/ |title=Mithali Raj at India Speakers Bureau |publisher=India Speakers Bureau |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629111133/http://www.indiaspeakersbureau.in/mithali-raj/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.niharikatimes.com/sports-news/news/%e0%a4%ae%e0%a5%88%e0%a4%82%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%87-%e0%a4%b5%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%a4%e0%a4%b5-%e0%a4%ae%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%82-%e0%a4%ad%e0%a4%b5%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b7%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%af-%e0%a4%95-58280420.html |title=मैंने वास्तव में भविष्य के बारे में नहीं सोचा है : मिताली राज |date=17 October 2019 |publisher=Niharika Times |access-date=25 April 2022 |archive-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425053535/https://www.niharikatimes.com/sports-news/news/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B5-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%95-58280420.html |url-status=live}}

Raj played for Air India alongside Purnima Rau, Anjum Chopra, and Anju Jain, before joining Railways for the domestic championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/27967/mithali-raj-indian-woman-cricketer/ |title=9 Things to Know About Mithali Raj – 2nd Woman Cricketer in the World with 5000 ODI Runs |last1=Katyal |first1=Surabhi |website=thebetterindia.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708163206/http://www.thebetterindia.com/27967/mithali-raj-indian-woman-cricketer/ |archive-date=8 July 2015 |access-date=9 February 2015}} She has played for the Supernovas and Velocity in the Women's T20 Challenge.{{Cite web |title=Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami to miss Women's T20 Challenge 2022 as BCCI announces squads of three teams |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/mithali-raj-jhulan-goswami-to-miss-womens-t20-challenge-2022-as-bcci-announces-squads-of-three-teams-article-91593103 |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=TimesNow |date=16 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516093828/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/mithali-raj-jhulan-goswami-to-miss-womens-t20-challenge-2022-as-bcci-announces-squads-of-three-teams-article-91593103 |url-status=live}}

Raj has played all three of India's cricket formats: Test, ODI, and T20.{{cite web |url=http://thefield.scroll.in/823330/thank-you-mithali-raj-for-being-indian-crickets-evergreen-woman-in-blue |title=Thank you, Mithali Raj, for being Indian cricket's evergreen woman in blue |access-date=5 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205195051/http://thefield.scroll.in/823330/thank-you-mithali-raj-for-being-indian-crickets-evergreen-woman-in-blue |archive-date=5 December 2016 |url-status=dead}} She was named among the probables for the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup when she was fourteen, but she did not make it to the final squad.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-womens-world-cup-2017/mithali-raj-from-bharatnatyam-dancer-to-cricket-icon/articleshow/59571568.cms |title=Mithali Raj – From Bharatnatyam dancer to cricket icon |website=The Times of India |date=13 July 2017 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716010933/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-womens-world-cup-2017/mithali-raj-from-bharatnatyam-dancer-to-cricket-icon/articleshow/59571568.cms |archive-date=16 July 2017 |url-status=live}} She made her ODI debut in 1999 against Ireland at Milton Keynes, UK, and scored an unbeaten 114 runs. She made her Test debut in the 2001–02 season against South Africa at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.{{Cite web |date=1 June 2022 |title=Mithali Raj Biography: Birth, Age, Early Life, Cricket Career, Records, Awards & More |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/mithali-raj-biography-1647080423-1 |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=Jagranjosh.com |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129160529/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/mithali-raj-biography-1647080423-1 |url-status=live}}

On 17 August 2002, at the age of 19, she broke Karen Rolton's world record for the highest individual test score of 209* in her third test, scoring a new high of 214 against England in the second and final test at County Ground, Taunton, UK.{{cite web |title=ESPNcricinfo – Women's Test Highest Individual Scores |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/STATS/WOMEN/WT/BATTING/WT_AVS_BAT_HIGH_INNS_SCORES.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731100509/http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/STATS/WOMEN/WT/BATTING/WT_AVS_BAT_HIGH_INNS_SCORES.html |archive-date=31 July 2017 |access-date=15 February 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Abhishek |date=16 August 2018 |title=The day Mithali Raj registered the highest ever Test score |url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/the-day-mithali-raj-registered-the-highest-ever-test-score-483641 |access-date=15 March 2021 |website=CricketCountry.com |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127201754/https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/the-day-mithali-raj-registered-the-highest-ever-test-score-483641 |url-status=live}} The record has since been surpassed by Kiran Baluch of Pakistan, who scored 242 against the West Indies in March 2004.{{cite news |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284255.html |title=Most runs in an innings (progressive record holder) in Women's Test matches |access-date=17 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818103734/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284255.html |archive-date=18 August 2016 |url-status=live}}

In South Africa in 2005, Raj led India to their first finals in 2005 Women's Cricket World Cup, where they lost to Australia.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/why-women-s-cricket-world-cup-final-is-extra-special-for-mithali-raj-jhulan-goswami/story-RZvrp01lhhm3uN634vZ65N.html |title=Why Women's Cricket World Cup final is extra special for Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami |date=22 July 2017 |access-date=22 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723024318/http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/why-women-s-cricket-world-cup-final-is-extra-special-for-mithali-raj-jhulan-goswami/story-RZvrp01lhhm3uN634vZ65N.html |archive-date=23 July 2017 |url-status=live}}

In August 2006 she led her team to their first-ever Test series victory in England, and concluded the year by successfully defending the Asia Cup without losing a single game.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BK04DwAAQBAJ&dq=without+dropping+a+single+game+Mithali+RAj+won+the+asia+cup+2006&pg=PA81 |title=Quarterly Current Affairs July-September 2017 |isbn=9789386629593 |last1=Experts |first1=Disha |date=6 October 2017 |publisher=Disha Publications |access-date=18 November 2021 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307202605/https://books.google.com/books?id=BK04DwAAQBAJ&dq=without+dropping+a+single+game+Mithali+RAj+won+the+asia+cup+2006&pg=PA81 |url-status=live}}

Mithali Raj won the 2003 Arjuna award.

At the 2013 Women's World Cup, Raj was the number 1 woman ODI cricketer. In her career {{citation needed|date=February 2023}}, she scored one century and four fifties in Test cricket, five centuries and five fifties in ODIs, together with best bowling figures of 3–4 in ODIs, and ten fifties in T20s.{{Cite web |url=https://www.yogems.com/yopedia/mithali-200-odis-player-and-highest-run-scorer/ |title=Mithali 200 ODIs player and highest run-scorer |date=1 March 2019 |website=YoGems |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408071728/https://www.yogems.com/yopedia/mithali-200-odis-player-and-highest-run-scorer/ |archive-date=8 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}

In February 2017 she became the second player to score 5,500 runs in ODIs.

Raj is the first player to captain the most matches for India in ODI and T20I.{{Cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283425.html |title=Records. Women's One-Day Internationals. Individual records (Captains, players, umpires). Most matches as captain. |access-date=21 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222083635/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283425.html |archive-date=22 February 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/Afghanistan/content/records/283424.html |title=Records. Women's Twenty20 Internationals. Individual records (captains, players, umpires). Most matches as captain |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=27 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911205942/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/Afghanistan/content/records/283424.html |archive-date=11 September 2017 |url-status=live}}

In July 2017 she became the first player to score 6,000 runs in WODIs. She led the Indian team to the final of the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup where the team lost to England by nine runs.{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8584/commentary/1085975/England-Women-vs-India-Women-Final-ICC-Women's-World-Cup-2017 |title=Final, ICC Women's World Cup at London, Jul 23 2017. Match Commentary |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=27 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726033246/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8584/commentary/1085975/England-Women-vs-India-Women-Final-ICC-Women's-World-Cup-2017 |archive-date=26 July 2017 |url-status=live}}[https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/cricket/40035680 World Cup Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501051206/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/cricket/40035680 |date=1 May 2018 }}, BBC Sport, 23 July 2017.[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/23/england-v-india-womens-world-cup-final-live England v India: Women's World Cup final – live!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723225032/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/23/england-v-india-womens-world-cup-final-live |date=23 July 2017 }}, The Guardian, 23 July 2017.

In December 2017 she played on the ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/three-indian-women-in-icc-teams/article22171183.ece |title=Three Indian Women in ICC Teams |work=The Hindu |date=21 December 2017 |access-date=21 December 2017 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909153028/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/three-indian-women-in-icc-teams/article22171183.ece |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21834245/ellyse-perry-declared-icc-women-cricketer-year |title=Ellyse Perry declared ICC's Women's Cricketer of the Year |access-date=21 December 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030193603/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21834245/ellyse-perry-declared-icc-women-cricketer-year |archive-date=30 October 2019 |url-status=live}}

In October 2018 she played on India's squad for the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcci.tv/news/2018/press-releases/17669/indian-womens-team-for-icc-womens-world-twenty20-announced |title=Indian Women's Team for ICC Women's World Twenty20 announced |work=Board of Control for Cricket in India |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928121529/http://www.bcci.tv/news/2018/press-releases/17669/indian-womens-team-for-icc-womens-world-twenty20-announced |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/863769 |title=India Women bank on youth for WT20 campaign |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928161228/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/863769 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live}}

Raj retired from T20I cricket in September 2019, saying in a BCCI press statement: "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".{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27525711/mithali-raj-retires-t20i-cricket |title=Mithali Raj retires from T20I cricket |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903101326/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27525711/mithali-raj-retires-t20i-cricket |archive-date=3 September 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mithali-raj-motivated-sachin-tendulkar-shares-throwback-practice-video-1604095-2019-09-28 |title=Mithali Raj is 'motivated' after Sachin Tendulkar shares throwback practice video |newspaper=India Today |language=en |access-date=5 October 2019 |agency=Ist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001135536/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mithali-raj-motivated-sachin-tendulkar-shares-throwback-practice-video-1604095-2019-09-28 |archive-date=1 October 2019 |url-status=live}}

In November 2020, Raj was nominated for the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade, and the award for women's ODI cricketer of the decade.{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30385388/virat-kohli,-kane-williamson,-steven-smith,-joe-root-nominated-icc-men-cricketer-decade-award |title=Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steven Smith, Joe Root nominated for ICC men's cricketer of the decade award |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201025800/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30385388/virat-kohli,-kane-williamson,-steven-smith,-joe-root-nominated-icc-men-cricketer-decade-award |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1908769 |title=ICC Awards of the Decade announced |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120224617/https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1908769 |url-status=live}}

In May 2021 she was named captain of India's Test squad for their one-off (one-time only) match against the England women's cricket team.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2021/news/154389/india-s-senior-women-squad-for-the-only-test-match-odi-t20i-series-against-england-announced |title=India's Senior Women squad for the only Test match, ODI & T20I series against England announced |work=Board of Control for Cricket in India |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-date=9 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609190714/https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2021/news/154389/india-s-senior-women-squad-for-the-only-test-match-odi-t20i-series-against-england-announced |url-status=live}} In January 2022, she was named captain of India's team for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/womens-odi-world-cup-2022-renuka-singh-meghna-singh-yastika-bhatia-break-into-indias-world-cup-squad-1295643 |title=Renuka Singh, Meghna Singh, Yastika Bhatia break into India's World Cup squad |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=6 January 2022 |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106081643/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/womens-odi-world-cup-2022-renuka-singh-meghna-singh-yastika-bhatia-break-into-indias-world-cup-squad-1295643 |url-status=live}}

On 8 June 2022, Raj announced her retirement from all formats of International cricket.{{Cite web |date=8 June 2022 |title=Mithali Raj retires from all forms of cricket after 23 years and 10,868 runs for India |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mithali-raj-announces-her-retirement-from-all-forms-of-international-cricket-1959868-2022-06-08 |website=India Today |access-date=8 June 2022 |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608091320/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mithali-raj-announces-her-retirement-from-all-forms-of-international-cricket-1959868-2022-06-08 |url-status=live}}

Raj was the batting consultant for India women's national cricket team, and has played as a player-coach.{{cite book |last1=Garg |first1=Chitra |title=Indian Champions: Profiles of Famous Indian Sportspersons |date=2010 |publisher=Rajpal & Sons |location=New Delhi, India |isbn=9788170288527 |page=158}}

• Raj is nicknamed "Lady Tendulkar of Indian Women's cricket", as she is currently the all-time leading run-scorer for India in all formats, including Tests, ODIs and T20Is.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/mithali-raj-1024125-2017-07-13 |title=The 34-year-old Padma Shri winner, who made her debut at the age of 16, has often been called the Sachin Tendulkar of Indian women's cricket |website=India Today |date=13 July 2017 |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221170744/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/mithali-raj-1024125-2017-07-13 |url-status=live}}
• During the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, Raj scored her seventh consecutive half-century, and notched the record for most consecutive fifties by a player.{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-vs-england-icc-women-world-cup-mithali-raj-creates-unique-record-with-7th-consecutive-fifty-4720150/ |title=India vs England, ICC Women's World Cup 2017: Mithali Raj creates world record with 7th consecutive fifty |author=Express Web Desk |access-date=3 July 2017 |date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627103252/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-vs-england-icc-women-world-cup-mithali-raj-creates-unique-record-with-7th-consecutive-fifty-4720150/ |archive-date=27 June 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284101.html |title=Records. Women's One-Day Internationals. Batting records. Fifties in consecutive innings |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=13 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719201236/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284101.html |archive-date=19 July 2017 |url-status=live}}
• Raj is the 1st Indian and 5th woman cricketer overall to score over 1,000 World Cup runs.{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=68;type=trophy |title=Records / Women's World Cup / Most runs |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124180244/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=68;type=trophy |archive-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=live}}
• She holds the record for playing the most consecutive Women's One Day Internationals for a team (109).{{Cite news |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283479.html |title=Records. Women's One-Day Internationals. Individual records (captains, players, umpires). Most consecutive matches for a team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=26 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726040555/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283479.html |archive-date=26 July 2017 |url-status=live}}

Mithali Raj was involved in controversy with cricket management because of her attitude towards the game during the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mithali-raj-bcci-coa-harmanpreet-kaur-ramesh-powar-india-women-s-world-t20-1397232-2018-11-27 |title=Mithali Raj accuses coach Ramesh Powar of bias: He humiliated me |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=29 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129194704/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mithali-raj-bcci-coa-harmanpreet-kaur-ramesh-powar-india-women-s-world-t20-1397232-2018-11-27 |archive-date=29 November 2018 |url-status=live}} In a letter to the BCCI, she accused coach Ramesh Powar and BCCI COA member Diana Edulji of bias, and of humiliating her by not including her in the T20 world cup semifinals.{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/mithali-raj-icc-women-world-t20-india-team-selection-5467260/ |title=Mithali Raj accuses Diana Edulji of bias, claims 'people out to destroy me' |date=27 November 2018 |website=The Indian Express |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129225218/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/mithali-raj-icc-women-world-t20-india-team-selection-5467260/ |archive-date=29 November 2018 |url-status=live}} Powar, in turn, criticized Raj for threatening to retire from cricket when asked to play down the batting order.{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25400023/mithali-raj-threatened-retire-open-ramesh-powar |title=Mithali Raj threatened to retire if she couldn't open - Ramesh Powar |date=28 November 2018 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129013316/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25400023/mithali-raj-threatened-retire-open-ramesh-powar |archive-date=29 November 2018 |url-status=live}} He further accused Raj of "blackmailing and pressuring coaches" and causing division in the team during the recently concluded World T20. He added, "despite being a senior player in the team she puts in minimum inputs in team meetings. She could not understand and adapt to the team plan. She ignored her role and batted for own milestones. Lack of keeping the momentum going which was putting extra pressure on other batters."{{Cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/mithali-raj-writes-to-bcci-accuses-coa-member-diana-edulji-coach-ramesh-powar-of-bias/320840 |title=Mithali Raj Accuses CoA Member Diana Edulji, Coach Ramesh Powar Of Bias |website=Outlook (India) |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903173742/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/mithali-raj-writes-to-bcci-accuses-coa-member-diana-edulji-coach-ramesh-powar-of-bias/320840 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |url-status=live}} Coach Powar also criticized Raj's 50 against Ireland in the same tournament, in which she ended up playing 25 dot balls.{{Cite web |url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/cricket/now-women-team-coash-ramesh-powar-came-up-with-such-allegations-against-mithali-raj-1955047 |title=ab mithali ne 25 dot ball khele |website=NDTVIndia |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129120100/https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/cricket/now-women-team-coash-ramesh-powar-came-up-with-such-allegations-against-mithali-raj-1955047 |archive-date=29 November 2018 |url-status=live}}

Her relationship with the T20 team's captain Harmanpreet Kaur was strained.{{Cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/mithali-raj-terms-harmanpreet-kaurs-decision-to-back-coachs-decision-to-bench-me-in-the-semi-final-hurtful/321824 |title=Mithali Raj terms Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to back coach's decision to bench me in the semi-final "hurtful". Cricket News |website=www.timesnownews.com |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130071610/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/mithali-raj-terms-harmanpreet-kaurs-decision-to-back-coachs-decision-to-bench-me-in-the-semi-final-hurtful/321824 |archive-date=30 November 2018 |url-status=live}} However, after reappointment of Ramesh Powar as Head Coach of the Indian women's cricket team in May 2021, the two have reconciled.{{Cite web |title=Ramesh Powar Re-Appointed as Head Coach of Indian Women's Cricket team |url=https://www.timesofsports.com/cricket/ramesh-powar-appointed-as-india-womens-coach/ |website=Times of Sports |date=14 May 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190428/https://www.timesofsports.com/cricket/ramesh-powar-appointed-as-india-womens-coach/ |url-status=live}} Raj and Kaur confirmed in various interviews that there was no bad blood between them.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

File:The President, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam presenting the Arjuna Award, 2003 to Ms. Mithali Raj at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 2003 (Low Resolution).png from President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on 2003]]

File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Ms. Mithali Raj, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 08, 2015.jpg presenting the Padma Shri Award to Mithali Raj, New Delhi, 8 April 2015]]

File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2021 to Ms. Mithali Raj for Cricket, in a glittering ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on November 13, 2021.jpg from President Ramnath Kovind on 13 November 2021]]

She is a Bharatanatyam dancer.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thequint.com/cricket/2017/07/01/10-things-to-know-about-india-captain-mithali-raj |title=Records, Hobbies, Idols: 10 Things to Know About Mithali Raj |date=1 July 2017 |website=The Quint |language=en |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307202618/https://www.thequint.com/sports/cricket/10-things-to-know-about-india-captain-mithali-raj |url-status=live}}

After the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures acquired the rights to make a feature film of Raj's life. She said, "Hoping that this movie inspires more people, especially young girls to take up sports as a career".{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/a-biopic-on-indian-women-cricket-team-captain-mithali-raj-in-the-works-4861858/ |title=A biopic on Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj in the works |date=26 September 2017 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=29 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929085147/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/a-biopic-on-indian-women-cricket-team-captain-mithali-raj-in-the-works-4861858/ |archive-date=29 September 2017}}

Shooting was scheduled to start in 2019. Raj said "I think Priyanka Chopra will be a great choice (to play me in the biopic). Our personalities match a lot. I am not a movie buff, so I'd love the experts to do their job."{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mithali-raj-says-priyanka-chopra-ideal-choice-for-her-biopic/articleshow/64905396.cms |title=Mithali Raj says Priyanka Chopra ideal choice for her biopic - Times of India |work=The Times of India |access-date=12 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819134107/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mithali-raj-says-priyanka-chopra-ideal-choice-for-her-biopic/articleshow/64905396.cms |archive-date=19 August 2018}} However, finally Taapsee Pannu was cast in the role of Mithali Raj in a biopic titled Shabaash Mithu. Rahul Dholakia was to direct in 2020. However, filming was delayed due to COVID-19. In June 2021, Srijit Mukherji replaced Dholakia as director.{{cite news |date=3 December 2019 |title=Mithali Raj's biopic 'Shabaash Mithu' confirmed; Taapsee Pannu 'honoured' to portray cricketer's story |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/mithali-raj-gets-a-special-birthday-present-from-taapsee-pannu-actress-set-to-lead-cricket-legends-biopic/articleshow/72343234.cms |access-date=12 January 2020 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018143928/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/mithali-raj-gets-a-special-birthday-present-from-taapsee-pannu-actress-set-to-lead-cricket-legends-biopic/articleshow/72343234.cms |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/just-in-director-srijit-mukherji-has-replaced-rahul-dholakia-as-the-director-of-taapsee-pannu-starrer-shabaash-mithu/articleshow/83747714.cms |title=Just in! Director Srijit Mukherji has replaced Rahul Dholakia as the director of Taapsee Pannu-starrer 'Shabaash Mithu' |work=The Times of India |date=22 June 2021 |access-date=3 December 2021}} The film was released on 15 July 2022.{{Cite news |title=Taapsee Pannu starring Shabaash Mithu releases on the big screen on July 15, 2022 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/taapsee-pannu-starring-shabaash-mithu-releases-big-screen-july-15-2022/ |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=Bollywood Hungama |language=en |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609043227/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/taapsee-pannu-starring-shabaash-mithu-releases-big-screen-july-15-2022/ |url-status=live}} The movie was a financial disaster, earning only rupees 2.88 crore from a budget of 30.0 crore.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Shabaash Mithu Box Office Collection. India. Day Wise. Box Office |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/shabaash-mithu/box-office/ |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Bollywood Hungama |date= 15 July 2022|language=en |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811195718/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/shabaash-mithu/box-office/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |title=Shabaash Mithu box office collection Day 7: Taapsee Pannu's film performs poorly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/shabaash-mithu-box-office-collection-day-7-taapsee-pannu-s-film-performs-poorly-1978514-2022-07-22 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=India Today |date= 22 July 2022|language=en |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809082317/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/shabaash-mithu-box-office-collection-day-7-taapsee-pannu-s-film-performs-poorly-1978514-2022-07-22 |url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite journal |last1=Ghosh |first1=Annesha |title='I hope I see the day when people acknowledge men's and women's cricket equally' |journal=The Cricket Monthly |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=27 March 2020 |url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1219778/-i-hope-i-see-the-day-when-people-acknowledge-men-s-and-women-s-cricket-equally |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625000818/https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1219778/-i-hope-i-see-the-day-when-people-acknowledge-men-s-and-women-s-cricket-equally |url-status=live}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Kishore |first1=Shashank |title=Profile: The sleepy girl who woke up a generation |journal=The Cricket Monthly |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=September 2016 |url=http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1041251/the-sleepy-girl-who-woke-up-a-generation |access-date=24 March 2017 |archive-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322165755/http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1041251/the-sleepy-girl-who-woke-up-a-generation |url-status=live}}
• {{cite news |last1=Patwardhan |first1=Deepti |title=Mithali Raj: The 'sleepy' girl who changed Indian cricket forever |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61741814 |access-date=14 October 2022 |work=BBC News |date=10 June 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014124726/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61741814 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite book |last1=Raj |first1=Mithali |title=Unguarded: An Autobiography |date=2018 |publisher=Penguin Books India |location=Gurugram, Haryana |isbn=9780670090563}}
• {{cite web |author1=Staff writer |title=India great Raj retires from internationals |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/61731405 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=14 October 2022 |date=8 June 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014124715/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/61731405 |url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

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Category:1982 births

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