India veteran cricketer Mithali Raj has announced her retirement after a glorious international career spanning of nearly 23 years.
ICC on Wednesday published a news on their website confirming the retirement of this legendary cricketer of Indian woman cricket.
Earlier, Raj released a statement on twitter on Wednesday, saying: "Like all journeys, this one too must come to an end. Today is the day I retire from all forms of international cricket."
"I feel is the perfect time to call curtains on my playing career as the team is in capable hands of some very talented young players and the future of Indian cricket is bright."
Raj ends her 23-year international career with 7805 ODI runs in 232 matches, at an average of just over 50. She also scored 2364 runs in 89 T20Is, as well as 699 runs in 12 Tests, including a century and four half-centuries.
She finishes her career as the top run-scorer in ODI cricket, 1813 runs ahead of the next highest – England legend Charlotte Edwards.
She bids farewell to the game as the No 7-ranked batter in the MRF Tyres ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings.
Raj captained India to the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, and also holds the record for the most matches captained in Women's World Cups, breaking Australian legend Belinda Clark's record during the ICC Women's World Cup 2022 in March. She also led India to four consecutive Asia Cup triumphs between 2005 and 2012.
However, perhaps her most significant achievement as captain came in 2014 as India sealed a historic Test series victory in England, with Raj leading from the front.
