How Mithali Raj revolutionised Indian women's cricket

Mithali Raj started her cricket career at the age of 9. Her father forced her to join a cricket club in hopes that it would inculcate discipline in her routine, while her mother wanted her to become an Indian classical dancer. 

But Raj only ever realised her dream of playing cricket for India after her international debut at the age of 16.

Raj’s journey was one to witness, even if we only noticed the last half of it. The 9-year-old Mithali might not have grasped the share of criticism and hardships that were to come. 

Relatives and friends, more often than not, teased her for how she looked; as a young teen, she was told she would never find a husband because of the scars on her face graced by a cricket ball; but Mithali kept moving onwards.

Mithali Raj was first closely introduced to the world in the 2017 Women’s World Cup. She was a sight to remember, calmly flicking through a book in the dugout while donning her batting kit. 

Viewers were astonished at how the legend could concentrate on a book while a match that would decide the fate of Indian women’s cricket proceeded right in front of her. She later talked about the incident, claiming that reading a book is a ritual she follows to calm herself through stressful situations.

Known for her level-headed captainship, she led the team to the finals in the 2017 Women’s World Cup. Throughout her career, she had accomplished the unheard of. 

She became the first Indian women cricketer and second overall to cross 10,000 international runs. She became the first Indian women cricketer to cross 6000 ODI runs. She was the youngest and the only Indian woman to score a double century in Test cricket.

For all that she has done for cricket, Mithali deserves the loudest applause. For someone who called herself ‘sleepy’, she woke up a whole generation. 

For someone who used to tackle high-pressure situations by reading a book, 10,868 international runs has been some record for a resume. 

Crisping short, in the 90s era of women’s cricket, when people did not know the details of women’s cricket, people knew the name ‘Mithali Raj’. 

It is safe to say that Mithali has done for women’s cricket what Sachin Tendulkar has done for men’s cricket, maybe even more. It was a career that lasted 23 years and carried Indian women’s cricket on its back. 

Mithali Raj will be remembered as a pioneer, an incredible leader, a generation’s first, an inspiration to millions and the cricketer who revolutionised Indian women’s cricket.