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Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj is the Captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team for Test and One-Day International (ODI) format. She was born in Jodhpur on 3 December, 1982, to Navy Officer Dorai Raj and mother Leela Raj. Mithali Raj has been playing for 17 years now, having begun as a young player of 17. Mithali Raj is only the second female cricketer to surpass the 5,500 run mark. On July 12, 2017, Mithali Raj became the highest run-getter in women's cricket in ODI format. She broke the record in the India vs Australia match in the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, beating the earlier highest female run-getter Charlotte Edwards of the England Women's Cricket Team. The ODI tally of Mithali Raj is now 6,028 runs (until the ICC Women's World Cup 2017). In the India vs Australia ICC Women's World Cup 2017 match, Mithali Raj scored a half-century (50). This is Mithali Raj's 49th ODI fifty and her third 50 of the #WWC17. The batswoman was caught and bowled at 69 (off 114) by Aussie spinner Kristen Beams.

Mithali Raj is an Arjuna Award winner as well as a Padma Shri recipient, given by the Government of India. Her brother Mithun Raj is also a cricketer. In the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup 2017, Mithali Raj stunned everyone with her performance in the first India vs England match. Mithali scored 71 off 73 balls in the match that India won. With that ODI 50, Mithali Raj became the only Indian cricketer, male or female, to have scored 7 consecutive ODI half-centuries. She also became the only female international cricketer to achieve the feat. In the tournament, Mithali Raj also became the first female captain who called for a decision review system or DRS in a world cup match that turned out to be in her team's favour.

Before going in to bat at the India vs England match for the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, Mithali Raj was a rage on Twitter with a picture and video of her coolly reading a book on the grounds, even as her openers were smashing the ball on the ground to English female bowlers. Mithali Raj was named Captain Cool by the ICC and Cricket World Cup handles on Twitter, a nickname of former India Men's Cricket Team Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Mithali later tweeted that she was reading because it was the perfect weather for a leisurely read! In the second match of India in the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, against West Indies, Mithali Raj was again spotted reading. She explained that reading keeps her calm. We agree.

Here's what Mithali Raj has to say about her reading on-field and also her emoji on Twitter.

Mithali Raj also recently earned accolades for giving a befitting reply to a reporter who asked her who her favourite male cricketer was. "Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is? I have always been asked who’s your favourite cricketer but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is," she quipped.

Even as India is gushing over its new favourite Captain, Mithali Raj has announced that she will retire in two years and may not play the next ICC Women's World Cup.

Under the leadership of Mithali Raj in the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, the India Women's Team has managed to be No.1 in the points table, beating England Women, West Indies Women and the arch-rivals Pakistan Women.

1st ODI: India women aim to continue winning momentum against England
Press Trust of India | February 21, 2019 11:44 AM IST
[caption id="attachment_805373" align="alignnone" width="628"] Smriti Mandhana (IANS Photo)[/caption...
1st ODI: India women aim to continue winning momentum against England
indiacom
2019-02-21T00:44:40+00:00
2019-02-21T00:44:40+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
ICC ODI Rankings: Smriti Madhana maintains top spot, Jhulan Goswami No. 3 in bowlers’ list
Press Trust of India | February 18, 2019 8:21 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_804402" align="alignnone" width="628"] Smriti Mandhana is leading the pack w...
ICC ODI Rankings: Smriti Madhana maintains top spot, Jhulan Goswami No. 3 in bowlers’ list
indiacom
2019-02-18T09:21:57+00:00
2019-02-18T09:21:57+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
ICC Women's Rankings: Smriti Mandhana Maintains Top Spot
PTI | February 18, 2019 6:06 PM IST
India opener Smriti Mandhana maintained her pole position while ODI skipper Mithali Raj remained fif...
ICC Women's Rankings: Smriti Mandhana Maintains Top Spot
indiacom
2019-02-18T07:06:36+00:00
2019-02-18T07:06:36+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
3rd T20I Match Report: Smriti Mandhana 86 in Vain as New Zealand Women Complete 3-0 Sweep Versus India Women in Hamilton
India.com Sports Desk | February 10, 2019 12:09 PM IST
The Indian women's team almost pulled off a dramatic win but failed to score a boundary in the final...
3rd T20I Match Report: Smriti Mandhana 86 in Vain as New Zealand Women Complete 3-0 Sweep Versus India Women
indiacom
2019-02-10T01:09:23+00:00
2019-02-10T03:56:28+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
Team India Name Women's Squad For ODI Series Against England
PTI | February 9, 2019 10:33 PM IST
India on Saturday retained the 15-member women's squad, led by skipper Mithali Raj, that played in t...
Team India Name Women's Squad For ODI Series Against England
indiacom
2019-02-09T11:33:05+00:00
2019-02-09T11:33:05+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
D Hemalatha dropped, Ravi Kalpana returns after 3 years in India's ODI squad against England
Press Trust of India | February 9, 2019 10:17 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_801379" align="alignnone" width="628"] Ravi Kalpana replaced batting all-rou...
D Hemalatha dropped, Ravi Kalpana returns after 3 years in India's ODI squad against England
indiacom
2019-02-09T11:17:28+00:00
2019-02-09T11:11:09+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
Mithali Raj to lead India women against England, Smriti Mandhana named BPXI skipper for a warm-up
CricketCountry Staff | February 9, 2019 6:46 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_801317" align="alignnone" width="628"] Mithali Raj will lead India against E...
Mithali Raj to lead India women against England, Smriti Mandhana named BPXI skipper for a warm-up
indiacom
2019-02-09T07:46:29+00:00
2019-02-09T07:46:15+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
During IPL 2019, an expanded women's T20 exhibition event
Press Trust of India | February 8, 2019 4:28 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_801008" align="alignnone" width="628"] Mithali Raj bats for Supernovas (IANS...
During IPL 2019, an expanded women's T20 exhibition event
indiacom
2019-02-08T05:28:24+00:00
2019-02-08T05:28:24+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
2nd T20I: New Zealand women seal series with four-wicket win
CricketCountry Staff | February 8, 2019 10:52 AM IST
[caption id="attachment_800746" align="aligncenter" width="638"] Suzie Bates scored 62 off 52 balls ...
2nd T20I: New Zealand women seal series with four-wicket win
indiacom
2019-02-07T23:52:49+00:00
2019-02-07T23:52:49+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
India Women vs New Zealand Women 2nd T20I Live Streaming And Score: Match Preview, TV Broadcast, Online Cricket Streaming; When And Where to Watch in India, Betting Tips, Dream XI, Complete Squads And Time in IST
India.com Sports Desk | February 7, 2019 7:25 PM IST
India Women vs New Zealand Women 2nd T20I Live Streaming: With an aim to keep the series alive, Harm...
India Women vs New Zealand Women 2nd T20I Live Streaming And Score: Match Preview, TV Broadcast, Online Crick
indiacom
2019-02-07T08:25:35+00:00
2019-02-07T08:25:35+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
India vs New Zealand 2nd Women's T20I: Mithali Raj Question Looms Large as Under-Pressure India Look to Save Series Against White Ferns
India.com Sports Desk | February 7, 2019 2:06 PM IST
India Women vs New Zealand Women 2nd T20I: Mithali Raj's inclusion could be the bone of contention f...
India vs New Zealand 2nd Women's T20I: Mithali Raj Question Looms Large as Under-Pressure India Look to Save
indiacom
2019-02-07T03:06:22+00:00
2019-02-07T04:45:33+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
2nd T20I, Preview: Mithali Raj’s inclusion in focus as under-pressure India aim to save series
Press Trust of India | February 7, 2019 3:13 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_800459" align="alignnone" width="628"] Mithali Raj's years of experience cou...
2nd T20I, Preview: Mithali Raj’s inclusion in focus as under-pressure India aim to save series
indiacom
2019-02-07T04:13:47+00:00
2019-02-07T04:13:47+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
India Women's ODI Captain Mithali Raj Keen To Avoid Qualifiers For World Cup 2021
India.com Sports Desk | February 6, 2019 4:45 PM IST
The Indian women's ODI team captain Mithali Raj feels the side's confidence has gone up following th...
India Women's ODI Captain Mithali Raj Keen To Avoid Qualifiers For World Cup 2021
indiacom
2019-02-06T05:45:34+00:00
2019-02-06T05:45:34+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
Mithali Raj eyeing direct qualification for ICC World Cup 2021
CricketCountry Staff | February 6, 2019 1:17 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_799965" align="alignnone" width="628"] Mithali Raj (IANS Photo)[/caption] In...
Mithali Raj eyeing direct qualification for ICC World Cup 2021
indiacom
2019-02-06T02:17:35+00:00
2019-02-06T02:17:35+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
1st T20: Devine, bowlers star as India women implode in chase
CricketCountry Staff | February 6, 2019 12:13 PM IST
New Zealand women registered a 23-run win to take the first T20I after India visitors imploded to lo...
1st T20: Devine, bowlers star as India women implode in chase
indiacom
2019-02-06T01:13:19+00:00
2019-02-06T01:12:12+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
India Women vs New Zealand Women: Mithali Raj Not Picked For 1st T20I Against White Ferns, Twitter Fumes
India.com Sports Desk | February 6, 2019 10:00 AM IST
India Women vs New Zealand Women: Veteran Indian batter Mithali Raj was not picked for the 1st T20I ...
India Women vs New Zealand Women: Mithali Raj Not Picked For 1st T20I Against White Ferns, Twitter Fumes
indiacom
2019-02-05T23:00:30+00:00
2019-02-05T23:00:30+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
India vs New Zealand Women’s 1st T20 at Wellington Cricket Live Streaming And Score -Preview, TV Broadcast, Online Streaming; When And Where to Watch in India onlin, Betting Tips
India.com Sports Desk | February 5, 2019 10:00 PM IST
Following a clinical display at the ODI series, where the Indian cricket women's team triumphed 2-1 ...
India vs New Zealand Women’s 1st T20 at Wellington Cricket Live Streaming And Score -Preview, TV Broadcast,
indiacom
2019-02-05T11:00:00+00:00
2019-02-05T11:00:00+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
Mithali Raj May Call it Quits From T20 Internationals After Home Series Against England
PTI | February 5, 2019 9:03 PM IST
Indian women cricket team's seniormost player Mithali Raj in all likelihood will bring down curtains...
Mithali Raj May Call it Quits From T20 Internationals After Home Series Against England
indiacom
2019-02-05T10:03:25+00:00
2019-02-05T10:03:25+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
Mithali Raj may call it quits from T20 Internationals after home series against England
Press Trust of India | February 5, 2019 9:02 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_799804" align="alignnone" width="628"] While India's three-match T20 series ...
Mithali Raj may call it quits from T20 Internationals after home series against England
indiacom
2019-02-05T10:02:47+00:00
2019-02-05T10:01:53+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com
T20I series: Indian women eyeing another series win in New Zealand
Press Trust of India | February 5, 2019 5:22 PM IST
[caption id="attachment_799728" align="aligncenter" width="638"] Questions were raised over Mithali'...
T20I series: Indian women eyeing another series win in New Zealand
indiacom
2019-02-05T06:22:36+00:00
2019-02-05T06:22:36+00:00
Mithali Raj
India.com