Mithali Raj was born on December 3, 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. She started playing cricket at the age of 10 and joined a cricket academy in Hyderabad, showcasing her prodigious talent from a young age.
Mithali played domestic cricket for Railways, where her outstanding performances drew national attention and paved the way for her selection to the Indian national team.
She made her One Day International (ODI) debut on June 26, 1999, against Ireland, where she scored an unbeaten 114 runs, marking the beginning of a remarkable international career.
Mithali made her Test debut on January 14, 2002, against England. She holds the record for the highest individual score in women's Test cricket (214), achieved against England in 2002, highlighting her prowess in the longest format.
She is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket and the only female cricketer to surpass the 7,000-run mark in Women's ODIs. Mithali is also the first player to score seven consecutive 50s in ODIs, demonstrating her consistency and skill.
Mithali Raj has captained the Indian women's cricket team in multiple formats, leading India to the finals of the Women's Cricket World Cup in 2005 and 2017, underlining her leadership qualities and strategic acumen.
Mithali made her T20 International debut on August 5, 2006, against England, and captained the Indian team in the inaugural ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2009, showcasing her versatility across formats.
Mithali Raj retired from T20 Internationals in September 2019 and announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on June 8, 2022, concluding an illustrious career spanning over two decades.
Mithali has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award in 2003 and the Padma Shri in 2015. She also received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor, in 2021, acknowledging her contributions to cricket.
Mithali's autobiography, "Unguarded," published in 2018, provides insights into her life and cricketing journey. She has been a strong advocate for women's cricket in India and has inspired many young girls to take up the sport, leaving a lasting legacy.