Mithali Raj: Women's Cricket's Greatest Run-Scorer
Mithali Raj is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket history with over 10,000 runs. She led India to two World Cup finals and transformed women's cricket in India into a nationally celebrated sport.
India's Women's Cricket Pioneer
Mithali Dorai Raj was born in Jodhpur on 3 December 1982. She made her ODI debut at 16 and went on to play international women's cricket for 23 years — a career spanning the transformation of women's cricket from a niche activity to a mainstream sport in India. A classical right-handed opening or top-order batsman known for elegant strokeplay and exceptional concentration, she became the face of Indian women's cricket for two decades.
Record-Breaking Run Accumulation
Mithali Raj scored 7,805 ODI runs across 232 matches at an average of 50.68 — the highest by any player in women's ODI cricket history. She also scored 2,364 Test runs with 7 centuries in women's Tests. In T20 Internationals she scored over 2,000 runs. Her combined international tally of over 10,000 runs places her among women's cricket's all-time greats by any measure.
Two World Cup Finals
Mithali captained India to the ODI World Cup final in 2005 (losing to Australia) and again in 2017 (losing to England by 9 runs in a dramatic match at Lord's). The 2017 World Cup campaign galvanised Indian public interest in women's cricket enormously — the final was watched by millions in India and made Mithali and her teammates household names. Their performance helped generate significant commercial investment in Indian women's cricket.
Legacy and Retirement
Mithali Raj retired from all forms of international cricket in June 2022 — the week before India played England in a Test match at Bristol that drew record television audiences. She received the Padma Shri in 2015 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2021. A biopic film, 'Shabaash Mithu' (2022), depicted her life and career. She remains the most decorated women's cricketer in India's history.
Frequently asked questions
How many international runs did Mithali Raj score?
Mithali Raj scored over 10,000 international runs across all formats — 7,805 in ODIs (average 50.68), 2,364 in Tests, and 2,364 in T20Is. Her ODI tally is the highest in women's cricket history. She played international cricket for 23 years, from 1999 to 2022.
How many World Cup finals did Mithali Raj play in?
Mithali Raj played in two Women's ODI World Cup finals — 2005 (losing to Australia) and 2017 (losing to England by 9 runs at Lord's). The 2017 final drew record television audiences in India and is credited with transforming public interest in women's cricket in the country.