Mithali Raj, pioneer of women's cricket, bids adieu

New Delhi: Legendary India batter Mithali Raj on Wednesday called time on her storied international career, bringing an end to a glorious 23-year career.

Having made her debut as a 16-year-old in 1999, Mithali's career has spanned nearly 23 years across four different decades during which time she became the central cog in the growth of the women's game in the country and beyond.

Mithali finished international career with a staggering 10,868 runs - the most in women's cricket. She scored 7805 ODI runs in 232 matches, at an average just over 50 while has 2364 runs in 89 T20Is, as well as 699 runs in 12 Tests, including a century and four half-centuries.

The 39-year-old Mithali, who captained India to the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, also holds the record for the most matches (28 matches) captained in Women's World Cups, breaking Australian legend Belinda Clark's record during the ICC Women's World Cup 2022 in March.

She also led India to four consecutive Asia Cup triumphs -- 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008, 2012. However, perhaps Mithali's most significant achievement as captain came in 2014 as India sealed a historic Test series victory in England, with Mithali guiding the team home with an unbeaten 50 in the second innings.

As a skipper, Mithali has 89 wins out of 155 - the most by any player in women's ODIs. Her 155 matches as captain is also the highest in women's ODIs.

The batter also became the second youngest centurion after she scored a century on ODI debut in 1999. At 16 years and 205 days, she became the youngest centurion in women's internationals.