Mithali Raj, India’s leading women’s T20I runscorer, has announced her retirement from the format with immediate effect.
She led India on their T20I debut in 2006 and captained the side through three consecutive World T20s, in 2012, 2014, and 2016, and, as the first player from her country to reach 2,000 runs in the format, stands as a true legend of the game. However, her most recent campaign, in which she played under current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, was marred by infighting, with Mithali missing out from selection for the semi-final in contentious circumstances.
She has played since then, playing all three games in India’s T20I series defeat to England in March, but has now decided to focus her attentions elsewhere.
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“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,” she said. “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.”
