Mithali Raj, former Indian T20 skipper has announced her retirement from the shortest format. The 36-year old veteran took the decision to focus on One Day International cricket keeping 2021 World Cup in mind.
Mithali was the captain in India women”s first-ever T20I played in Derby, 2006. She led the nation in 32 T20Is that include 3 T20 World Cups in the years 2012, 2014 and 2016.
“After representing India in T20 internationals since 2006, I wish to retire from T20Is to focus my energies on readying myself for the 2021 One Day World Cup,” Mithali said.
Mithali is the first cricketer (both men and women) in India to reach the landmark of 2000 T20 International runs. In women”s T20I, she is the 6th highest run getter.
Mithali ended her T20I career as India”s top-scorer in T20Is. She has scored 2364 runs from 89 matches at an average of 37.5 with a high score of 97.
Her last T20I was against England in Guwahati, March 2019.
“It remains my dream to win a World Cup for my country and I want to give it my best. I thank the BCCI for their continuous support and wish the Indian T20 team good luck as they prepare for the home series against South Africa Women,” she added.
It is indeed surprising to see this as only a week ago she had made herself available for series against South Africa Women.
In the past 18 months, Mithali has also seen omissions from the XI, the most notable one being the SF of the T20 World Cup in 2018 which saw India lose the game.
Considering her future prospects it is certain that the stalwart wants to play and win the World Cup in 2021.
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