Former Indian women's team captain Mithali Raj announced her decision to retire from international cricket on Wednesday (June 08). One of the greatest servants of Indian cricket, Raj is one of the most successful cricketers to have played for the Indian women's cricket team and is also regarded as an all-time great. In an illustrious career spanning over two decades, she won numerous matches and tournaments for India with her heroics with the bat.

Besides being one of the strongest pillars of the Indian batting line-up for a number of years in women's cricket, Raj was also an exceptional leader and holds the record for leading in most ODIs as captain in women's cricket history. She was a calm and composed leader both on and off the field and led the team from the front.

While she liked to stay away from the limelight during her playing days, Raj had once stumped a reporter with a brilliant response after being asked a rather sexist question. The incident happened during a press conference ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup in 2017 when Raj was the captain of the Indian team.

During the press conference, a reporter asked who was her favourite male cricketer. Raj was not at all impressed by the journalist's query and responded by asking him if he would ask a similar question to one of the male cricketers about their favourite female cricketers.

"I have always been asked who's your favourite cricketer but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is," Raj had said at the press conference.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mithali-rajs-career-in-numbers-an-undisputed-legend-of-indian-cricket-486206">Mithali Raj's career in numbers - An undisputed legend of Indian cricket</a>

One of the flagbearers of women's cricket in India, Raj's name has been synonymous with the women's game in the country. She is unarguably one of the biggest names in India's women's cricket history and has had the longest career in women's ODIs of over 22 years.

In the same press conference, Raj had also spoken about the difference of viewership and fan following in men's and women's cricket explaining how there was far less coverage for the women's game when compared to men's cricket.

"There's a lot of difference because we are not a regular on television. Now the BCCI has made an effort that the last two home series have been televised and social media has improved a lot of it but there is a still a lot of catch-up to do in terms of recognition," she said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/queen-of-womens-cricket-top-6-records-held-by-mithali-raj-486290">Queen of women's cricket: Top 6 records held by Mithali Raj</a>

Raj, who made his debut for India in an ODI against Ireland in the year 1999,&nbsp;she went on to play 12 Tests, 232 ODIs and 89 T20Is in women's cricket. She amassed 699 runs in the longest format at an average of 43.68 and is the leading run-getter of all time in ODIs with 7805 runs in 232 matches at an average of over 50. She is also the leading run-getter for India in T20Is with 2364 runs at an average of over 37.

Former Indian women's team captain Mithali Raj announced her decision to retire from international cricket on Wednesday (June 08). One of the greatest servants of Indian cricket, Raj is one of the most successful cricketers to have played for the Indian women's cricket team and is also regarded as an all-time great.

Former Indian women's team captain Mithali Raj announced her decision to retire from international cricket on Wednesday (June 08). One of the greatest servants of Indian cricket, Raj is one of the most successful cricketers to have played for the Indian women's cricket team and is also regarded as an all-time great. In an illustrious career spanning over two decades, she won numerous matches and tournaments for India with her heroics with the bat. Besides being one of the strongest pillars of the Indian batting line-up for a number of years in women's cricket, Raj was also an exceptional leader and holds the record for leading in most ODIs as captain in women's cricket history. She was a calm and composed leader both on and off the field and led the team from the front. While she liked to stay away from the limelight during her playing days, Raj had once stumped a reporter with a brilliant response after being asked a rather sexist question. The incident happened during a press conference ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup in 2017 when Raj was the captain of the Indian team. During the press conference, a reporter asked who was her favourite male cricketer. Raj was not at all impressed by the journalist's query and responded by asking him if he would ask a similar question to one of the male cricketers about their favourite female cricketers. "I have always been asked who's your favourite cricketer but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is," Raj had said at the press conference. Also Read: Mithali Raj's career in numbers - An undisputed legend of Indian cricket One of the flagbearers of women's cricket in India, Raj's name has been synonymous with the women's game in the country. She is unarguably one of the biggest names in India's women's cricket history and has had the longest career in women's ODIs of over 22 years. In the same press conference, Raj had also spoken about the difference of viewership and fan following in men's and women's cricket explaining how there was far less coverage for the women's game when compared to men's cricket. "There's a lot of difference because we are not a regular on television. Now the BCCI has made an effort that the last two home series have been televised and social media has improved a lot of it but there is a still a lot of catch-up to do in terms of recognition," she said. Also Read: Queen of women's cricket: Top 6 records held by Mithali Raj Raj, who made his debut for India in an ODI against Ireland in the year 1999, she went on to play 12 Tests, 232 ODIs and 89 T20Is in women's cricket. She amassed 699 runs in the longest format at an average of 43.68 and is the leading run-getter of all time in ODIs with 7805 runs in 232 matches at an average of over 50. She is also the leading run-getter for India in T20Is with 2364 runs at an average of over 37.

'Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer': When Mithali Raj stumped a reporter with her response

Queen of women's cricket: Top 6 records held by Mithali Raj

Veteran India batter Mithali Raj announced her&nbsp;retirement from international cricket on Wednesday (June 08), bringing curtains down on her illustrious career. One of the greatest female cricketers of all time, and a legend of the sport, Mithali has been a torchbearer of women's cricket in India over the years. The&nbsp;Indian ODI captain took to social media to confirm her decision to bring the curtain downs on her career filled with ups and downs.

"I set out as a little girl on the journey to wear the Indian blues as representing your country the highest honour. The journey was full of highs and some lows. Each event taught me something unique and the last 23 years have been the most fulfilling, challenging and enjoyable years of my life," Mithali said in her announcement.

"Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end. Today is the day I retire from all forms of international cricket," added the Indian women's ODI team skipper.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you for all your love &amp; support over the years! 
I look forward to my 2nd innings with your blessing and support. <a href="https://t.co/OkPUICcU4u">pic.twitter.com/OkPUICcU4u</a>
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_Raj03/status/1534454266324205568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you for all your love &amp; support over the years! 
I look forward to my 2nd innings with your blessing and support. <a href="https://t.co/OkPUICcU4u">pic.twitter.com/OkPUICcU4u</a>
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_Raj03/status/1534454266324205568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-womens-odi-captain-mithali-raj-hangs-up-her-boots-announces-retirement-from-all-formats-486171">India women's ODI captain Mithali Raj hangs up her boots, announces retirement from all formats</a>

One of the most decorated Indian women's cricketers of all time, Mithali is the leading run-getter in women's ODIs and also holds the record for smashing the most number of ODI centuries for India. She has been one of the longest servants of the Indian women's team and has taken the side to greater heights under her leadership.

She made her debut for the Indian women's team in an ODI against Ireland women in June, 1999 and there was no looking back from there as the stylish right-hand batter went on to establish her credentials as one of the best in the world. She has had one of the longest international careers in the women's game and has achieved several milestones.

An undisputed legend of Indian cricket,&nbsp;there are a few who have had the kind of impact that Mithali has had on as far as women's cricket in the country is concerned. She has scored the most runs in the history of women's ODIs and has also captained most matches in the fifty-over format in women's cricket.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-adds-another-feather-to-illustrious-hat-becomes-1st-indian-to-reach-200-m-followers-on-instagram-486126">Virat Kohli&nbsp;becomes 1st Indian to reach 200 million&nbsp;followers on Instagram</a>

<h3>Here is a look at Mithali Raj's glorious career in numbers:</h3>

Mithali has played 12 Tests, 232 ODIs and 89 T20Is in her legendary career, amassing 699, 7805 and 2364 runs in the three formats respectively in women's cricket. Apart from being the leading run-getter in women's ODIs and T20Is, she also holds several other records in the game.

1) Most runs in women's ODIs - 7805 runs

2) Most centuries for India in women's ODIs - 7

3) Most fifty-plus scores for India in women's ODIs - 64

4) Most half-centuries for India in women's ODIs - 17

5) Most runs for India in women's T20Is - 2364

She is also the only Indian woman to have scored a double century in Test cricket and is the youngest cricketer to have scored a Test double ton at the age of 19 years and 254 days. She has captained India in a total of 155 ODIs - the most by any captain in women's cricket and has a career spanning 22 years and 274 days in women's ODIs - the longest for any player.

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Veteran India batter Mithali Raj announced her retirement from international cricket on Wednesday (June 08), bringing curtains down on her illustrious career. One of the greatest female cricketers of all time, and a legend of the sport, Mithali has been a torchbearer of women's cricket in India over the years.

Veteran India batter Mithali Raj announced her retirement from international cricket on Wednesday (June 08), bringing curtains down on her illustrious career. One of the greatest female cricketers of all time, and a legend of the sport, Mithali has been a torchbearer of women's cricket in India over the years. The Indian ODI captain took to social media to confirm her decision to bring the curtain downs on her career filled with ups and downs. "I set out as a little girl on the journey to wear the Indian blues as representing your country the highest honour. The journey was full of highs and some lows. Each event taught me something unique and the last 23 years have been the most fulfilling, challenging and enjoyable years of my life," Mithali said in her announcement. "Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end. Today is the day I retire from all forms of international cricket," added the Indian women's ODI team skipper. Thank you for all your love & support over the years! I look forward to my 2nd innings with your blessing and support. pic.twitter.com/OkPUICcU4u — Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) June 8, 2022 Thank you for all your love & support over the years! I look forward to my 2nd innings with your blessing and support. pic.twitter.com/OkPUICcU4u — Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) June 8, 2022 × Also Read: India women's ODI captain Mithali Raj hangs up her boots, announces retirement from all formats One of the most decorated Indian women's cricketers of all time, Mithali is the leading run-getter in women's ODIs and also holds the record for smashing the most number of ODI centuries for India. She has been one of the longest servants of the Indian women's team and has taken the side to greater heights under her leadership. She made her debut for the Indian women's team in an ODI against Ireland women in June, 1999 and there was no looking back from there as the stylish right-hand batter went on to establish her credentials as one of the best in the world. She has had one of the longest international careers in the women's game and has achieved several milestones. An undisputed legend of Indian cricket, there are a few who have had the kind of impact that Mithali has had on as far as women's cricket in the country is concerned. She has scored the most runs in the history of women's ODIs and has also captained most matches in the fifty-over format in women's cricket. Also Read: Virat Kohli becomes 1st Indian to reach 200 million followers on Instagram Here is a look at Mithali Raj's glorious career in numbers: Mithali has played 12 Tests, 232 ODIs and 89 T20Is in her legendary career, amassing 699, 7805 and 2364 runs in the three formats respectively in women's cricket. Apart from being the leading run-getter in women's ODIs and T20Is, she also holds several other records in the game. 1) Most runs in women's ODIs - 7805 runs 2) Most centuries for India in women's ODIs - 7 3) Most fifty-plus scores for India in women's ODIs - 64 4) Most half-centuries for India in women's ODIs - 17 5) Most runs for India in women's T20Is - 2364 She is also the only Indian woman to have scored a double century in Test cricket and is the youngest cricketer to have scored a Test double ton at the age of 19 years and 254 days. She has captained India in a total of 155 ODIs - the most by any captain in women's cricket and has a career spanning 22 years and 274 days in women's ODIs - the longest for any player.

Mithali Raj's career in numbers - An undisputed legend of Indian cricket

Indian cricketer Mithali Raj announces retirement from all forms of cricket. The former captain of India's women's team has a career spanning 23 years. Raj announced her retirement through a Twitter post.

Mithali Raj announces retirement from international cricket