On Wednesday 10 June 2022, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from international cricket in all formats. Given Mithali’s role as a pioneer of women’s cricket in India, the decision symbolizes the end of an era for the sport in India. In 232 One-Day Internationals, she scored 7805 runs at an average of 50.7 in a 22-year career. Her inspiring leadership and outstanding hitting helped the Indian side reach the finals of the 2017 50-over World Cup. Several Indian female cricketers credit her with inspiring them to pursue the sport professionally. Mithali Raj, the first woman to receive the renowned Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, has always emphasized that she hoped her accomplishments would encourage young girls throughout the country to follow their aspirations and be change agents. Since making her international debut as a 16-year-old, Mithali has faced official disinterest for most of her career and maintained herself motivated to go on and score heavily. This 22-year contribution to Indian cricket is invaluable because she has motivated a generation of young women to take up the sport seriously.
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Above is one of her posts in which she perfectly displays the beauty of Indian women in the sports field by gracing both her profession and her culture. As she already states in her post that “Every saree speaks louder than you, as I am well aware! It never advises you to blend in; instead, it encourages you to stand out.” she insists women start living their life on her own terms as its high time to show the world that the women can do it too. She effortlessly overcomes the challenges of playing in a saree and proves to the world that nothing can stop you from reaching your goals if you set your mind to it. The saree she’s wearing is a metaphor for people’s preconceptions about women in sports or any other job, and her wearing it on the field is a secret message to all those naysayers that anything is possible. Sport improves the physical and mental fitness of its participants, as well as their confidence and ability to cooperate with others and make complicated decisions — all while providing a source of income. Sport is a blessing in women’s lives. All those girls who believe there is no place for women cricketers in India are wrong, according to Mithali, and her life’s story will be vital in debunking this notion.
“It will also encourage many young ladies who aspire to be cricket players.” Many young ladies want to play the sport but have never seen it on television, so they believe they have no chance. This would provide them with several opportunities to dream,” as she said in her interviews.
Sport may help people move up the social ladder, improve their health, and increase their income. It’s a bad idea to restrict half of the people from enjoying the pleasures of sports. In India, a substantial percentage of females are still forbidden from going out to play, study, or work. Mithali and her peers in other sports are motivating females to participate in sports, which is a wonderful contribution to the country. Mithali is one of the game’s living legends. Her perseverance has brought her to the top, and her tale is sure to inspire many more girls to represent India on the field of play.
Throughout her two-decade career, she has influenced many people. Not only women but also men cricketers may learn from her narrative of hard effort and achievement.
As she bids farewell to her professional career we would like to wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Image source : Mithali Raj in CitiIndia & MasterCardIndia
https://sareeing.com/shiva-jyothi-savitri-half-saree-sankranti/
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