| | DECEMBER 20218IN FOCUSMithali Raj: An Innings of Achievements & Hopes in Women's CricketBY CEO INSIGHTS TEAMThe best ODI captain in the world of cricket is arguably Ricky Ponting, former Australian captain who holds the record for scoring the most half centuries as captain. One of the most successful captains of men in blue, MS Dhoni, despite being a finisher, takes the second spot. But the one equally on par with these legends is Mithali Raj, the current ODI captain of Indian Women's cricket team, who has scored 42 half centuries as captain in ODIs - the most by any female player and only behind Ponting and Dhoni in men's ODIs. Awarding her Khel Rathna is not only recognition to the long list of her individual achievements, but a reminder that Mithali fetched recognition for women's cricket in India over the past two decades.How it startedBorn in a humble Tamil family in Jodhpur,Rajasthan in 1982, as the second child of Dorai Raj, who was an Airman (Warrant Officer) in the Indian Air Force, Leela Raj, Mithali first padded at the age of 10. Also a dance lover, her professional journey began at the age of 17 when she was picked up for the Indian Team and two years in, proving to one of the most promising and talented batswomen, Mithali attracted the spotlight, scoring a whopping 214 at Taunton's final test match against England. Little did India see it coming, her name now stands as a synonym of women's cricket in India. Her professional journey serves as a living inspiration to many women and today she is being conferred with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.Mithali rose through the ranks of India's women's cricket squad, appearing in both Test and ODI matches. Her remarkable potential led to speculations that she would be selected for the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup at the age of 14. She did not, however, make the final cut.Despite this, Mithali bounced back two years
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