Mithali Raj Announced Her Retirement From T20Is

Former captain and one of the most experienced India batters, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from T20 Internationals in order to pursue her ODI career on Tuesday (September 3).

Raj finished her career with sixth-highest all-time run-getter with 2364 runs in 89 matches, behind only Suzie Bates, Stafanie Taylor, Charlotte Edwards, Meg Lanning, and Deandra Dottin. She is the only India batter with more than 2000 runs in this format of the game.

The 36-year-old veteran batter led India in 32 matches in T20Is and was India's first captain in this format in 2006. For India, only Harmanpreet Kaur (current captain) has played more matches (96) than her.

"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.

Her last T20I appearance came against England, in Guwahati, where she scored an unbeaten 32-ball 30. She was out of the favoritism from team management due to her slow batting record in T20Is.

FYI, Raj had made herself available for the upcoming series against South Africa a week ago.

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