Indian women’s skipper Mithali Raj has opened up on her international retirement plans conforming that the 2022 World Cup will be her last international assignment for India. Speaking during the virtual launch of the book ‘1971: The Beginning of India’s Cricketing Greatness’, Mithali confirmed that next year’s ICC event would be her last as an international cricketer. Mithali made her international debut as a 16-year-old back in 1999.

Leading the side in the 2005 World Cup, Mithali came close to lifting the trophy early in her career as India made it to the final. They lost to Australia in the final.

12 years later, in 2017, India once again came close to lifting the trophy. This time, they lost to hosts England and once again fell short. The next year’s event will be her final chance to fulfill her dream of lifting the ICC trophy.

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2022 Is My Swansong: Mithali Raj

“It’s been 21 years of international cricket and I know 2022 is my swansong, The World Cup. The last year is equal to the 20 years of my international cricket. I know we are in difficult times but it takes a lot out of me to keep working on my fitness. I am not getting any younger, in fact I am getting older and I know the importance of fitness,” Mithali said.

Originally scheduled to be played in 2021, this year’s Women’s World Cup was pushed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 situation. As for now, New Zealand is confirmed to host the tournament in March-April 2022.

Mithali Raj retired from T20I cricket in 2019 and she now only plays ODIs. She has led India to 83 wins in 137 ODIs. India won 17 out of 32 T20Is under his leadership. She also played 10 Test matches for India.

Mithali has 7098 runs in ODIs, 2364 runs in T20Is and 663 runs in Test cricket.

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