Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj is an Indian former cricketer and one of the greatest batters in women's cricket history. She captained the Indian women's national team for nearly two decades, from 2004 to 2022, and holds the record as the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket. Her career totals include 7,805 runs in One Day Internationals, 2,364 in T20Is, and 663 in Tests, making her the only woman to cross 7,000 ODI runs.

Raj's list of honours is long: the Arjuna Award in 2003, the Padma Shri in 2015, the Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2017, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021. In 2026, the BCCI announced she would receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Naman Awards. Since retiring in June 2022, she has worked as a consultant for the Andhra Cricket Association and as a commentator for the Women's Premier League and international series.

Known for her calm, composed presence and textbook technique, Raj is widely credited with transforming how India views women's cricket. Her 2017 World Cup run inspired a generation of young girls to take up the sport, and she remains a prominent voice in the game today. [edit]

Mithali Raj was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to Dorai Raj, a former Indian Air Force officer, and Leela Raj. The family moved often because of her father's postings, eventually settling in Hyderabad, where she grew up. She attended Keyes High School for Girls in Secunderabad and later graduated from Kasturba Gandhi Degree & PG College for Women.

Before cricket, Raj trained seriously in Bharatanatyam for seven years. Her brother, who played the sport, introduced her to cricket, and coach Jyothi Prasad quickly spotted her talent. At age 15, she made the India Under-19 squad, and her rapid rise led to her ODI debut in 1999 at just 16 years old.

Her first match was against Ireland, and she scored an unbeaten 114, a world record for a debutant at the time. That innings set the tone for a career defined by consistency and record-breaking performances. [edit]

Raj's international career spanned 23 years, from 1999 to 2022. In 2002, she scored 214 not out against England, then the highest individual score in women's Test cricket. She became captain in 2004 and led India to the World Cup final in 2005 and again in 2017, where they lost narrowly to England at Lord's.

In 2013, she scored her second Test double century, making her the only woman with two in the format. She became the first woman to play 200 ODIs in 2018 and retired from T20Is in 2019. Her final ODI appearance came in the 2022 World Cup, after which she retired from all international cricket.

Post-retirement, Raj has stayed close to the game. She serves as a consultant for the Andhra Cricket Association and is a regular commentator for the Women's Premier League and international women's series. In 2026, she was announced as a recipient of the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award. [edit]

Raj is widely regarded as the 'Doyen of women's cricket' in India. Her playing style was copybook and technically perfect, and she was known for her calm, composed demeanour. Media portrayals emphasise her role as a pioneer who made women's cricket mainstream. Her fan base spans generations, and she is celebrated for inspiring young girls to take up the sport. [edit]

Mithali Raj's legend is not just about runs; it's about the seismic shift she caused in how the world sees women's cricket. As of the latest iFANN Global Fame Rankings, she is the 16th most famous person in Cricket, a position she holds steady from the previous cycle. That ranking places her among the most recognized figures in the sport, a remarkable feat for a woman who once had to correct people who mistook her cricket kit for a hockey bag.

Her fame, however, is not the loud, chaotic kind. There is no formal name for her fanbase; they are not organized into clubs or armies. Instead, they are spread across social media, where she engages with over 2 million followers on Instagram, and they rally around causes she champions, like the Thalassemia Run 2026. Her fans are the quiet, devoted kind, the ones who retell the story of her debut century at 16 or her record-breaking 10,000 international runs. They are the young girls who took up cricket because of her, and the older generation who watched her transform the sport's perception in India.

What makes her fame enduring is not just the records, though being the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket is no small feat, but the respect she commands. Fellow players like Punam Raut have said, 'I get confidence from Mithali Raj.' Her post-retirement role as a consultant for the Andhra Cricket Association and her appearances as a WPL analyst keep her in the public eye, but it's her legacy as a pioneer that cements her place in the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. She is not just a cricketer; she is the reason women's cricket in India is no longer invisible.[edit]

Before she ever picked up a bat, Mithali Raj spent seven years training in Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form that likely contributed to her graceful footwork. Her 214 against England in 2002 was a world record at the time, and she remains the only woman to score two Test double centuries. She also holds the record for seven consecutive ODI fifties and played 232 ODIs, more than any other woman. A story that fans still retell is from her early career, when people mistook her cricket kitbag for a hockey bag, a stark reminder of how unrecognized women's cricket was then. That incident has become a symbol of the barriers she broke. Her retirement in June 2022, after a 20-year career, was seen as the end of an era, but she transitioned into a consultant role with the Andhra Cricket Association, ensuring her influence continues. One of the most iconic moments of her career was her ODI debut in 1999, when, at just 16, she scored an unbeaten 114, announcing her arrival on the world stage. That innings remains a foundational story in her legend, signaling the arrival of a generational talent.[edit]

Mithali Raj was born to Dorai Raj, a former Indian Air Force officer, and Leela Raj. Her brother introduced her to cricket. She has kept her family life private and has no publicly known children. She currently lives in Hyderabad, where she continues her work in cricket. [edit]

Coach Jyothi Prasad first spotted Raj's talent, and her brother introduced her to cricket. Her father Dorai Raj was a constant support. In the commentary box, she has worked alongside analysts like Katey Martin. [edit]

Mithali Raj has kept her personal life extremely private throughout her career. There are no confirmed public romantic relationships, marriages, or engagements documented in credible sources. She has never publicly confirmed dating anyone, and no reliable media outlet has reported a confirmed partner. As of 2026, Raj is believed to be single, with her focus on her cricket consultancy work, broadcasting career, and philanthropic activities. She has no publicly known children. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Mithali Raj's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $15 Million. This figure reflects a long career as India's captain and leading batter. During her playing days, she earned from BCCI central contracts, match fees, and prize money from World Cup campaigns. Endorsements with brands like Nike added significantly to her income. Since retiring in 2022, Raj has continued to earn through her consultancy role with the Andhra Cricket Association and as a commentator for the Women's Premier League and international series. Broadcasting fees for major tournaments are substantial, and her public appearances and brand ambassadorship for events like the Thalassemia Run 2026 also contribute. Her net worth has grown steadily in recent years, reflecting her enduring profile in Indian sport.[edit]

Mithali Raj's trophy cabinet includes the Arjuna Award (2003), Padma Shri (2015), Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2017), and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021), India's highest sporting honour. In 2026, she was named a recipient of the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award. [edit]