Highlights

  • At just 16, Mithali stunned the world with her international debut in 1999 against Ireland, scoring an unbeaten 114 — a star was born.

Latest news

Delhi Assembly Election Results: Who are the giant winners and biggest losers?

Delhi Assembly Election Results: Who are the giant winners and biggest losers?

PM Modi declares Delhi ‘AAP-da free’, slams AAP’s corruption & Congress’ irrelevance in historic BJP win

PM Modi declares Delhi ‘AAP-da free’, slams AAP’s corruption & Congress’ irrelevance in historic BJP win

Uttar Pradesh: BJP crushes SP in Milkipur bypolls, wins by 60,000+ votes

Uttar Pradesh: BJP crushes SP in Milkipur bypolls, wins by 60,000+ votes

Union Ministers, allies credit Modi, Shah for BJP's landslide win in Delhi Elections

Union Ministers, allies credit Modi, Shah for BJP's landslide win in Delhi Elections

INDIA bloc loses steam as BJP in driver's seat after Delhi poll results

INDIA bloc loses steam as BJP in driver's seat after Delhi poll results

Delhi Elections 2025: BJP returns to power after 27 years, AAP faces crushing defeat

Delhi Elections 2025: BJP returns to power after 27 years, AAP faces crushing defeat

Iranian woman's bold protest against dress code in Mashhad

Iranian woman's bold protest against dress code in Mashhad

US to deport 487 more illegal Indian migrants soon: Government

US to deport 487 more illegal Indian migrants soon: Government

Mithali Raj: The Woman Who Changed Indian Cricket Forever

Under Mithali’s captaincy, India’s women became a powerhouse in Asia, capturing multiple Asia Cup titles. But the 2013 World Cup on home soil was tough, with India finishing seventh.

Mithali Raj: The Woman Who Changed Indian Cricket Forever

In a world of men, she rose as India’s cricketing queen, only to face battles off the field that shook her to the core.

Mithali Raj, the face of Indian women’s cricket for two decades, a star who shattered records, defied norms and inspired a generation. Yet, her remarkable career was marred by a bitter fallout with former Indian women’s team coach, Ramesh Powar.

Mithali Raj’s journey to stardom began in Secunderabad. As a young girl, she loved to sleep till late, but her father, a retired Air Force officer, had other plans. Dragging her to her brother’s cricket practices to break her habit, he didn’t know he was about to uncover a prodigy. Sitting by the boundary, Mithali began casually batting around, and her effortless strokes caught the eye of coach Jyothi Prasad. What began as a quiet hobby soon turned into a full-blown dream.

At just 16, Mithali stunned the world with her international debut in 1999 against Ireland, scoring an unbeaten 114 — a star was born. Just three years later, she etched her name in history with a record-breaking 214 against England in a Test match. By 2003, she was an indispensable player, and in 2005, she led India to its first-ever Women’s World Cup final. Although they fell to Australia, her leadership had set a new standard.

Under Mithali’s captaincy, India’s women became a powerhouse in Asia, capturing multiple Asia Cup titles. But the 2013 World Cup on home soil was tough, with India finishing seventh. Even then, Mithali’s position was untouchable as she guided the team through a difficult rebuild.

And then, 2017 World Cup happened. Mithali and her team scripted history by reaching the final, a feat that captured the nation’s heart. Though they narrowly lost to England, it raised India’s profile globally, and Mithali was at the centre of it all.

But the highs of 2017 were soon shadowed by controversy. Mithali’s simmering conflict with coach Ramesh Powar erupted in 2018 when she was shockingly benched in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England.

Mithali’s absence raised eyebrows across the cricketing world, and soon the ugly details emerged. Accusations flew. Mithali claimed Powar had “humiliated” her and undermined her contributions, while Powar countered that Mithali prioritized personal milestones over the team. The rift became a national talking point, dividing fans and casting a cloud over her illustrious career.

Though Powar was eventually removed, the fallout left scars on Mithali’s legacy. And in 2022, she announced her retirement with a social media post, ending an extraordinary era.

But how does one measure Mithali Raj’s impact on Indian cricket? By a simple comparison - The legendary Sachin Tendulkar gave 24 years to the Men in Blue, and Mithali, she dedicated 23 years to the Women in Blue—a true titan of the game. She wasn’t just a player—she was a pioneer, blazing a trail that no Indian woman had walked before.

Her journey is nothing short of epic. She gave Indian women’s cricket a face, a name, and a legacy. Her story will forever remain an inspiration for young girls who dare to dream big

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

Mithali Raj: The Woman Who Changed Indian Cricket Forever

Mithali Raj: The Woman Who Changed Indian Cricket Forever

Rohit Sharma encourages Shubman Gill's freedom on field

Rohit Sharma encourages Shubman Gill's freedom on field

Nagpur ODI: India beat England by four wickets, take 1-0 lead in series

Nagpur ODI: India beat England by four wickets, take 1-0 lead in series

Top headlines today: Kejriwal's poaching allegation on BJP, chaos in Bangladesh and more

Top headlines today: Kejriwal's poaching allegation on BJP, chaos in Bangladesh and more

Harshit Rana shines on debut as India bundle England for 248 in 1st ODI

Harshit Rana shines on debut as India bundle England for 248 in 1st ODI

Mohun Bagan secures play-off spot with 3-0 win over Punjab FC

Mohun Bagan secures play-off spot with 3-0 win over Punjab FC

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Champions Trophy 2025: Australia’s pace battery depletes further as Cummins, Hazlewood ruled out

Champions Trophy 2025: Australia’s pace battery depletes further as Cummins, Hazlewood ruled out

Ind vs Eng 1st ODI: England opt to bat; Kohli misses out, debut for Jaiswal, Rana

Ind vs Eng 1st ODI: England opt to bat; Kohli misses out, debut for Jaiswal, Rana

Setback for Australia ahead of Champions Trophy as Marcus Stoinis announces immediate ODI retirement

Setback for Australia ahead of Champions Trophy as Marcus Stoinis announces immediate ODI retirement

India's Champions Trophy 2025 preparations commence with England ODI series

India's Champions Trophy 2025 preparations commence with England ODI series

Abhishek Sharma rises to second in ICC T20I rankings, Chakravarthy gains three spots

Abhishek Sharma rises to second in ICC T20I rankings, Chakravarthy gains three spots

Sanju Samson sidelined for 5-6 weeks due to index finger fracture

Sanju Samson sidelined for 5-6 weeks due to index finger fracture

Abhishek Sharma smashes record-breaking 135 as India thrash England by 150 runs in T20I

Abhishek Sharma smashes record-breaking 135 as India thrash England by 150 runs in T20I

Praggnanandhaa defeats D Gukesh in thrilling tiebreaker to win Tata Steel Masters 2025

Praggnanandhaa defeats D Gukesh in thrilling tiebreaker to win Tata Steel Masters 2025

Abhishek Sharma calls 135-run knock 'special' in 5th T20I victory over England

Abhishek Sharma calls 135-run knock 'special' in 5th T20I victory over England

India clinches series 4-1 as Abhishek Sharma shines in dominant win over England

India clinches series 4-1 as Abhishek Sharma shines in dominant win over England

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.