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Mithali Raj retires from T20Is to focus on the ODI World Cup in 2021
A major controversy had broken out during the T20 Women's World Cup in November last year, when Mithali was dropped from the crucial semi-finals against England. India went on to lose the game even as rifts between her and captain Harmanpreet Kaur did the rounds. The reports turned out to be true.
Indian women's cricketer Mithali Raj has announced her retirement from T20Is to focus on the ODI World Cup that will be held in 2021. Raj led India in 32 T20Is, including three World Cups - in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
The player was also the skipper of the side when they played their first ever T20I game - in Derby in 2006. She overall played 89 games, scoring 2364 runs with 17 fifties.
She played her last T20I game on March 9 against England this year, and scored an unbeaten 32.
"After representing India in T20 internationals since 2006, I wish to retire from T20Is to focus my energies on readying myself for the 2021 One Day World Cup. It remains my dream to win a World Cup for my country and I want to give it my best. I thank the BCCI for their continuous support and wish the Indian T20 team good luck as they prepare for the home series against South Africa Women," Mithali Raj was quoted saying in a press release issued by BCCI.
A major controversy had broken out during the T20 Women's World Cup in November last year, when Mithali was dropped from the crucial semi-finals against England. India went on to lose the game even as rifts between her and captain Harmanpreet Kaur did the rounds. The reports turned out to be true.
Mithali was also not picked for the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year, and this decision was explained by Harmanpreet.
"We are looking to give chance to the young girls. We only have these 3 overseas games and then we are playing more in Indian conditions. That's the reason we are giving chances to the young girls," Kaur had said.
