(Cricket news) India's legendary women's cricketer Mithali Raj has announced her retirement from international cricket. The 39 year old has called it quits after 20 years of playing international cricket. The announcement was expected to come ever since India got knocked out of the World Cup last year. The impact Mithali Raj has had on women's cricket in India is something that will never be matched. Her legacy will live forever and even though she will never don India's blue jersey again her presence will always be felt.

It was way back in 1999 when a 17-year-old Mithali Raj scored a hundred on her international debut. She was the youngest woman to score an international ton till 16-year-old Irish batter Amy Hunter broke the record last year. Since then, Raj has gone on to become one of the best cricketers in the world and her contribution to women's cricket in India is unparalleled. The run machine has led India to two World Cup finals in 2005 and 2017. Mithali is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket and the only female cricketer to surpass the 7,000 run mark in W-ODI matches. Raj also holds the record for most half-centuries in WODIs. In 2018 Mithali Raj became the first player from India (man or woman) to reach 2000 runs in T20Is.

For the longest time Mithali Raj along with teammate Jhulan Goswami were the only two well known cricketers in India. Now women's cricket has gained popularity in India and people follow and support the team. Mithali Raj has seen the transition up close from cricketers having to search for their own sponsors and gears to now BCCI coming into the picture so that players can concentrate on the game and not worry about other things. Mithali Raj has been the pillar of women's cricket in India and her retirement doesn't change that.

Unfortunately her career ended with a very disappointing World Cup campaign. She wasn't able to fulfill her dream of lifting a Women's World Cup for India. What she has done for women's cricket is so much more than winning the World Cup. If today Indian women's cricket has fame, money and recognition then Mithali Raj is one of the main reasons why. India now has a great squad filled with talented players who have all grown up idolising Mithali. She is leaving a very good Indian side behind, a side that can bring more glory to the nation.

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