India Women’s Test and ODI captain Mithali Raj became the only women cricketer to be conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on November 13 in New Delhi.
The award is the highest sporting honour of the country and she was among the 12 sportspersons to receive the award from India’s President Ram Nath Kovind.
"Women in sport are powerful catalysts of change and when they get the appreciation they deserve, it inspires change in several other women wanting to achieve their dreams," Raj said in a statement on her Twitter handle.
She took to her Twitter account to express her gratitude for each and every participant of her long career and expressed her fortunes for being part of the Indian cricket team.
"Today, I am honoured, proud and fortunate to be a part of Indian cricket. This journey has been arduous but not without the support of my mentors, family, friends and seniors who paved the way for all of us and my teammates," she wrote.
"I owe so much to my country, my institution Indian Railways, administrators, selectors, coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, masseuses, supporters and fans for their patience and encouragement. This accolade is not mine alone but I share it with everyone who has had a part to play in my journey."
She has been a vocal supporter of making the game of cricket more inclusive for women in the country and said that playing for India was her biggest inspiration. She also expressed hope that her journey would inspire many young girls to take cricket as their career.
"I sincerely hope that my journey inspires young girls all across the country to pursue their dreams and know that only when you dream can you make it happen."
"When I was growing up and learning to play this amazing game, representing my country was my dream. I always wanted to wear the blue jersey, which represents the absolute pride we feel for our nation.”