Mithali Raj is a former Indian cricketer known for her record-breaking career and leadership in women’s cricket. She was born on December 3, 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and is currently 42 years old.
Mithali grew up in a middle-class family. Her father, Dorai Raj, worked in the Indian Air Force. Her mother, Leela Raj, supported her early interest in sports. Mithali started training in cricket at a young age. She also learned Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form. She studied at Keyes High School for Girls in Secunderabad and later attended Kasturba Gandhi Junior College.
She began her cricket journey with the Andhra team and later played for Air India and Railways. Her talent stood out early. At just 16, she made her One Day International (ODI) debut for India in 1999 against Ireland. She scored an unbeaten 114 runs in that match. This marked the beginning of a long and successful career.
Mithali played in all three formats of the game—Test, ODI, and T20. She became India’s captain in 2004 and led the team for nearly two decades. Under her leadership, India reached the finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2005 and 2017. She was known for her calm approach and strong batting skills.
She holds many records. Mithali is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket. She scored over 7,800 runs in ODIs. She is also the only female cricketer to play in six World Cups. In Test cricket, she scored a double century against England in 2002. Her batting average in ODIs is over 50, which is rare and impressive.
Mithali received several awards for her contributions. She was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2003 and the Padma Shri in 2015. In 2021, she received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honor.
She retired from T20Is in 2019 and from all forms of international cricket in June 2022. After retirement, she continues to support women’s cricket. She mentors young players and promotes the sport through various platforms.
Mithali’s story was also made into a Bollywood film titled “Shabaash Mithu,” where actress Taapsee Pannu played her role. The movie highlights her struggles and achievements.
Throughout her career, Mithali worked with the Indian Railways, which supported her cricket journey. She balanced her job and cricket with discipline and focus.
Mithali Raj’s success is not just about runs and records. She changed how people see women’s cricket in India. She inspired many girls to take up the sport and dream big. Her journey shows that with hard work and belief, anything is possible.
Mithali Raj Early Life and Background
Mithali Raj, a trailblazer often nicknamed the “Lady Sachin,” was born on December 3, 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Her birthplace marked the beginning of a life that would reshape women’s cricket in India. She hailed from a Tamil family that prioritized discipline and focus, traits instilled by her father, Dorai Raj, a Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force. Her mother, Leela Raj, provided the essential support for her early ambitions. Growing up in Hyderabad, Mithali’s first passion was not cricket but classical dance; she trained in Bharatanatyam for eight years. This early exposure to a rigorous art form gave her the poise and dedication that later characterized her batting style. Her decision to switch from dance to cricket was monumental, particularly at a time when women’s cricket in India received minimal recognition or funding. She attended Keyes High School for Girls in Secunderabad and continued her education at Kasturba Gandhi Junior College. It was a local coach, seeing her reluctantly tagging along to her brother’s cricket practice, who first spotted her natural talent. This early intervention set her on a path to becoming one of the most celebrated Indian women cricketers, demonstrating that genuine talent will always find a way to shine.
Mithali Raj Domestic Career and Rise to Prominence
Mithali Raj’s path to international stardom was forged in the demanding domestic circuit of Indian cricket. She began her junior career with the Andhra state team, showing early signs of her immense run-scoring ability. Her skills quickly matured, leading her to play for the Air India team, where she competed alongside established national players. However, the most significant phase of her domestic career was spent with the Railways Women’s Cricket team. The Railways side was known for its dominance in national tournaments, and Mithali became its backbone and star player. Playing for the Railways provided her with stability, employment, and consistent, high-level competition, which was critical for her development as an elite athlete. She learned to balance her job and cricket with exceptional discipline. In the later stages of her career, she also played for franchise teams like Supernovas and Velocity team in the Women’s T20 Challenge, adapting to the modern, faster formats of the game. Her prolific domestic cricket statistics and sheer consistency made her impossible for national selectors to ignore, propelling her into the senior India squad at an extremely young age.
Mithali Raj International Debut and Career Highlights
Mithali Raj burst onto the international stage with an extraordinary debut that instantly marked her as a generational talent. At just 16 years old, she made her One Day International (ODI) debut on June 26, 1999, against Ireland, where she scored a brilliant unbeaten 114 runs. This century on debut was a statement, instantly cementing her future as a key player for women’s cricket in India. Her Test debut followed in 2002 against England, and her T20I debut came later in 2006, also against England, showcasing her ability to thrive across all three formats. Her career cricket statistics are phenomenal: she played a record 232 ODIs, 89 T20Is, and 12 Tests. She maintained an outstanding batting average exceeding 50 in ODIs, an exceptional feat demonstrating her consistency. She holds the distinction of scoring a magnificent 214 runs in a Test match against England in 2002, which, at the time, was the highest individual Test score in women’s cricket. Her longevity and consistency are highlighted by these career stats, confirming her status as one of the greatest Indian women cricketers of all time.
Mithali Raj Captaincy and Leadership
Mithali Raj assumed the vital role of India’s ODI captain from 2004 to 2022, leading the team for an unprecedented two-decade period. Her leadership tenure is largely credited with transforming the perception and competitiveness of women’s cricket in India. Under her calm and strategic guidance, India reached the finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup not once, but twice—in 2005 and 2017. This achievement is unique among Indian cricket captains, male or female. Her leadership style was noted for its composed nature, strategic acumen, and the ability to rally the team in high-pressure situations. She was instrumental in mentoring younger players, providing a stabilizing presence that allowed talents like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana to flourish. She instilled a culture of professionalism and self-belief, demanding excellence from her team while protecting them from external pressures. Her influence extended beyond the boundary rope, as her sheer presence compelled greater attention and investment into Indian women cricketers. Her captaincy was a period of growth and maturity for the Indian team, fundamentally changing how the world viewed Indian female cricket leadership.
Mithali Raj Records and Achievements
Mithali Raj’s career is a monument of unbroken records and achievements in international women’s cricket. She retired as the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket, accumulating a total of 7,805 ODI runs, which is the most by any female cricketer. A testament to her consistency, she holds the record for scoring seven consecutive ODI half-centuries. Her record-breaking prowess extends to Test cricket, where she was the first Indian woman to score 200+ runs in Tests, achieving 214 against England in 2002. Perhaps her most enduring record is being the only female cricketer to play in six World Cups (2000, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2022), showcasing extraordinary career longevity. These on-field accolades were mirrored by numerous national honors. She is a recipient of the Arjuna Award (2003) and the prestigious Padma Shri (2015). In 2021, the Government of India further recognized her unparalleled contribution by awarding her the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honor. These accomplishments confirm her place as an undisputed legend of the game.
Mithali Raj Retirement and Legacy
Mithali Raj’s retirement marked the end of an era for women’s cricket in India. She initially retired from T20I in September 2019 to focus her energy on the 50-over format, before announcing her full retirement in June 2022. Her legacy is far greater than her numerous cricket statistics; she is seen as the architect who led Indian women cricketers out of obscurity and into the global spotlight. Her greatest impact on women’s cricket in India is establishing a professional career path for aspiring female athletes. Post-retirement, she has not walked away from the sport. She immediately focused on mentorship and post-retirement roles, taking up positions like being a mentor for the Velocity team and the Gujarat Giants in the WPL. This active role demonstrates her commitment to ensuring the continuous growth of the game she popularized. Her calm demeanor, discipline, and phenomenal records will continue to inspire young athletes, solidifying her status as a permanent role model and a crucial figure in the history of the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Mithali Raj Personal Life and Interests
Mithali Raj has always maintained a highly private and focused approach to her life outside the 22 yards. She is unmarried and has consistently kept her personal life away from the media spotlight, preferring to let her performances on the field do the talking. While she is public about her familial bonds, her personal relationships remain private, demonstrating her commitment to her career and personal boundaries. Outside of cricket, she is known to have a deep passion for reading and enjoys listening to music, activities that provided balance and calm amidst the high-pressure world of elite sports. Her interests frequently surface in her public profile when discussing her focus and concentration techniques. More importantly, she has used her platform for advocacy for women’s empowerment and sports development. Mithali often speaks about the need for better infrastructure and support for female athletes, highlighting that her life’s work extends beyond the cricket statistics to creating an equitable sporting environment for all Indian women cricketers.
Mithali Raj Media Presence and Cultural Impact
Mithali Raj’s towering success translated into a significant media presence and cultural impact. Her life story was adapted into a Bollywood film titled Shabaash Mithu, released in 2022. The film, starring actress Taapsee Pannu, brought her struggles, records, and triumphs to a massive national audience, further cementing her status as a cultural icon. The film’s success amplified the visibility of women’s cricket in India. Beyond the biopic, Mithali is a highly sought-after figure for interviews and public speaking engagements, where she addresses themes of leadership, perseverance, and empowerment. She is also an influential figure in brand endorsements, utilizing her reach to promote social causes and products. Her cultural impact is best seen in her role as a role model for aspiring female athletes; she is a living example that girls can achieve extraordinary success in sports previously dominated by men. She transformed the “Lady Sachin” nickname from a compliment into an identity all her own, showcasing the true power of Indian female cricket leadership.
Mithali Raj Age (The Verified Birth Year and Current Status)
Mithali Raj Age is 42 years. She was born on December 3, 1982.
Mithali Raj Husband Name (Marital Status and Relationship Details)
Mithali Raj is not married and has no husband.
Mithali Raj has remained single throughout her life. In interviews, she has shared that her focus on cricket and personal experiences led her to choose a life without marriage. Despite rumors linking her to fellow cricketers, including Shikhar Dhawan, she clarified that these were baseless and never true.
Mithali Raj Total Centuries (International Record and Statistics)
Mithali Raj has scored a total of 8 centuries in international cricket.
She made 7 centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 1 century in Test matches. Her ODI centuries came across a career spanning over two decades, where she played 232 matches and became the highest run-scorer in women’s ODI history with 7,805 runs. Her only Test century was a remarkable double hundred—214 runs against England in 2002, which was a world record at the time.
Despite playing 89 T20 Internationals, Mithali did not score a century in the format, though she had several scores in the 90s. Her consistency and ability to anchor innings made her one of the most dependable batters in women’s cricket.
Mithali’s centuries reflect her calm temperament, technical skill, and ability to perform under pressure. Each hundred she scored contributed significantly to India’s success and helped elevate the profile of women’s cricket in the country.
Mithali Raj Profile Table (Quick Facts and Data Overview)
| Profile | Information |
| Mithali Raj career | Cricketer (Right-handed Batter, occasional Leg-break Bowler); Captain of Indian national team (2004–2022); Highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket. |
| Mithali Raj real name | Mithali Dorai Raj |
| Mithali Raj age | 42 (as of October 31, 2025) |
| Mithali Raj date of birth | December 3, 1982 |
| Mithali Raj net worth | Approximately ₹40–45 crore (or $5 million as of late 2023/early 2024 estimates) |
| Mithali Raj wife / spouse | Not known (She is unmarried) |
| Mithali Raj children | Not known |
| Mithali Raj parents | Father: Dorai Raj (Former Airman/Warrant Officer in Indian Air Force); Mother: Leela Raj |
| Mithali Raj religion | Hinduism (Tamil family background) |
| Mithali Raj state of origin | Rajasthan (born in Jodhpur, raised in Hyderabad, Telangana) |
| Mithali Raj alma mater | Kasturba Gandhi Junior College for Women, Secunderabad |
| Mithali Raj education | 12th Standard (Intermediate studies completed) |
| Mithali Raj nationality | Indian |
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