Mithali Raj – Profile and Interview
Mithali Raj is the name that once associated with the World’s highest individual score in Women’s Test Cricket, this 21 year old from Hyderabad has created a new self belief among all the Indian sportswomen.
Mithali is a dashing middle order batswoman with good test and one-day averages of above 70 and 40 respectively .
Born on 3rd December, 1982 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Mithali started to play the game at a tender age of 10 and at the age of 17, she was picked for the Indian team and her ODI debut was against Ireland at Milton Keynes in the year 1999. She made her debut a GOLDEN DEBUT by opening the innings and scoring 114* as India went on to win that match comfortably.
R Gandhi who also made her debut in that match scored 104* and made that match a really memorable one for both the debutants. Later, Mithali made her Test Debut against England in 2001/2002 at Lucknow. Mithali Raj at 19 emerged as one of India’s most capable batswomen with a staggering 214 against England in the second and final Test at Taunton. The middle-order bat now holds the record for the highest score in women’s Test cricket, surpassing Karen Rolton’s 209 not out against England. In her innings of 214, Mithali faced 407 balls and hit 19 boundaries. Her double century is only the fifth in the history of women’s Test cricket . Mithali playing only her third Test innings dominated the proceedings through out the day and scoring a mammoth 214.During her marathon knock She also shared two century partnerships – a 144-run stand for the fourth wicket with Hemalata Kala (62) and then an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 148 with Jhulan – to guide India to a mammoth total.
Playing for Railways in the domestic competition, Mithali started her career by playing with stars like Purnima Rau, Anjum Chopra and Anju Jain for Air India. Now, that she has emerged as one of India’s most dependable batswomen, scoring heavily in both One-Dayers and Tests, her composure when at the crease and ability to score briskly make her a dangerous customer.
In addition to her ability with the bat, Mithali bowls leg-spinners and provides variety to any attack.
Cricketfundas.com had an opportunity to meet Mithali Raj during the India Women Vs New Zealand Women One Dayer at Hyderabad and following are some of the replies to our questionnaire :
Cricketfundas.com : What was the age at which you started playing cricket?
Mithali: 10 years
Cricketfundas.com : When did u think of becoming a professional?
Mithali: At the age of 13
Cricketfundas.com : Which is your most memorable cricketing moment?
Mithali: Achieving the world record of 214 runs and scoring first 50 in International level against England at Taunton when I was 19 .
Cricketfundas.com : Who is your Role Model?
Mithali: Sachin Tendulkar
Cricketfundas.com : Where do you see Women’s cricket in 5 years time?
Mithali: Great Heights
Cricketfundas.com : How supportive is your family?
Mithali: Very Very supportive
Cricketfundas.com : Where do you see yourself 5 yrs down?
Mithali: No Comments
Cricketfundas.com : What do you think are your strengths and your weakness?
Mithali : Not to be disclosed
Cricketfundas.com : What are you doing to improve your game?
Mithali : Practice hard and hard