Mithali Raj Profile:
- Full Name: Mithali Dorai Raj
- Date of Birth: December 3, 1982
- Age: 42 years (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Bowling Style: Legbreak
- Major Teams: India Women, Railways Women
- Awards: Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna
Mithali Raj is the face of women’s cricket in India and a global icon who changed the way the world sees the sport. But how much do you know about her? From being the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket to leading India in two World Cup finals, her records speak louder than words.
But her life was not as straightforward as it seemed. She began her career at a time when women’s cricket had limited visibility, infrastructure, and support in India. Beyond her records, Mithali is admired for her leadership, calm under pressure, and dedication to the sport.
She has often spoken about gender equality in sports and has mentored young players. In this blog, we dive into every aspect of her journey, including her family, early life, cricketing career, relationship status, net worth, salary, and her legacy in women’s cricket.
Who is Mithali Raj?
Mithali Raj was born on December 3, 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and is an Indian female cricketer. She began playing cricket at the age of 10 and trained in Hyderabad. A very few know that Mithali was also a trained classical dancer and almost pursued Bharatnatyam professionally before choosing cricket.
She made her international debut in 1999 with a century against Ireland. Coming from a defense family background, discipline was a core part of her upbringing. Her early training sessions involved playing with boys, which helped shape her game and mental toughness.
After retiring in 2022, Mithali remained closely connected to the game. She is currently serving as a mentor for the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Mithali Raj Journey in Cricket
Mithali Raj, the first woman captain of Indian cricket team, started her cricket training at the age of 10 in Telangana. Her talent was evident early, and she made her ODI debut in 1999 at just 16 years old, scoring an unbeaten 114 against Ireland.
In 2002, she made headlines by scoring 214 runs in a Test match against England. She set the world record at that time for the highest individual score in women’s Test cricket.
Born to rule women’s cricket, she was appointed captain of the Indian team in 2005 and led India to its first-ever Women’s World Cup final the same year. Mithali continued to lead from the front for years, and under her captaincy, India reached another World Cup final in 2017, drawing nationwide attention and praise.
For her consistency and calm leadership, she was compared many times to the GOD of cricket. She became the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket in 2021, surpassing 10,000 runs across all formats.
She retired from T20 internationals in 2019 but continued to play Indian cricket in ODIs and Tests until June 2022, when she announced her retirement from all forms of the game. Mithali’s career, which spanned over two decades, played a crucial role in reshaping women’s cricket in India and inspiring the next generation of players.
Mithali Raj Career Stats
Mithali Raj started her international career in 1999 with a sensational ODI debut, scoring an unbeaten 114 against Ireland. Over the next two decades, she established herself as one of the most consistent batters in the world. Now, Mithali is the only Indian woman cricketer to score over 10,000 international runs.
Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
ODI | 232 | 7,805 | 50.68 | 7 | 64 | 125* |
Test | 12 | 699 | 43.68 | 1 | 4 | 214 |
T20I | 89 | 2,364 | 37.52 | 0 | 17 | 97* |
Total | 333 | 10,868 | — | 8 | 85 | — |
Raj represented India in all three formats of the game—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—and holds multiple records to her name.
Centuries of Mithali Raj
ODI Centuries (7 Total)
Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
114* | Ireland | Milton Keynes | 1999 |
103* | South Africa | Lucknow | 2000 |
108* | Sri Lanka | Kurunegala | 2002 |
109 | West Indies | Ahmedabad | 2003 |
103 | Pakistan | Bowral | 2009 |
104* | New Zealand | Bengaluru | 2015 |
109 | South Africa | Bengaluru | 2018 |
Test Century (1 Total)
Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
214 | England | Taunton | 2002 |
Note: Mithali Raj did not score any international centuries in T20Is, but she holds 17 half-centuries in the format.
Mithali Raj Net Worth
As of 2025, the net worth of Mithali Raj is approximately 42 crore INR (over 5 million dollars). As a former Grade A contracted player under BCCI, she received an annual salary of ₹50 lakh, along with match fees—₹6 lakh for Tests, ₹4 lakh for ODIs, and ₹2 lakh for T20Is. Her income sources include cricket earnings, brand endorsements, commentary roles, and public appearances.
Income Source | Estimated Earnings |
BCCI Annual Salary | ₹50 lakh (Grade A Contract) |
Match Fees | ₹6 lakh/Test, ₹4 lakh/ODI, ₹2 lakh/T20I |
Brand Endorsements | ₹40–50 lakh per year |
Public Appearances & Events | ₹5–10 lakh per event (approximate) |
Commentary & Media | ₹10–15 lakh per year (approximate) |
Biopic (“Shabaash Mithu”) | Undisclosed, likely in crores |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Lady Tendulkar of India?
Mithali Raj is known as the “Lady Tendulkar of India” because, like Sachin Tendulkar, she is the highest run-scorer and a multiple record holder in women’s cricket. Both played international cricket for 23 years, debuted as teenagers, and consistently led their teams across formats.
What is Mithali Raj Husband Name?
Mithali Raj is currently unmarried and has never publicly disclosed any past relationships. She has always kept her personal life private. As of 2025, she has no husband and continues to focus on her professional commitments, public appearances, and promoting women’s cricket.
Why Mithali Raj is Not Married?
In a 2021 interview with The Times of India, Mithali Raj shared that she chose not to marry because her focus was always on cricket. Leading the national team and building women’s cricket in India took priority. She felt marriage would have required compromises she wasn’t ready to make.
Is Mithali Raj Retired?
Yes, Mithali Raj officially retired from all forms of international cricket in June 2022. She had earlier stepped away from T20Is in 2019. Her retirement marked the end of a legendary career that spanned over two decades.
What is Mithali Raj Doing Now?
Mithali Raj mentors the Gujarat Giants during the Women’s Premier League. Outside the tournament, she serves as Mentor of Women’s Cricket Operations for the Andhra Cricket Association. She also supports cricket academies, guides young players, appears in commentary, and attends public events.