'A story, a journey, a life worth telling' - Twitter cherishes Mithali Raj's services as she calls time on her international career

India’s sensational cricketer Mithali Raj drew curtains on her international career and bid adieu to all formats of international cricket on Wednesday, June 8. The legendary cricketer has hinted last year that the Women’s World Cup 2022 would be her swansong, and thus she was not a part of the game post the World Cup, which ended in April 2022.

Raj, 39, who started off her career at a very young age of 16 went on to become one of the finest cricketers that Indian women’s cricket had ever witnessed. She kept breaking boundaries and earned laurels throughout her 23 years of an international career. She was one of the reasons behind the success of Women’s cricket in India and was the flag-bearer of the game.

Apart from leading the Indian national team, she has led the Railways team magnificently, in such a way that they have dominated the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy since the tournament’s inception. Raj led the team to a victory not just once, but 10 times in the 12 seasons, making them a force to reckon with.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Raj’s retirement

To play for India 🇮🇳 is a dream a very few fulfill and to be able represent the nation for 23 years is just amazing.
You have been a pillar to Women’s Cricket in India and have shaped the lives of many young girls.
Many congratulations on a phenomenal career @M_Raj03. https://t.co/jVHmMTW2YP

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 8, 2022

Towards the end of her career, Mithali had been in form longer than some of her teammates had been alive 🙂 That's how long she served Indian cricket. Congratulations and thank you @M_Raj03. Good luck for your second innings 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/dQYTP8fMxd

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 8, 2022

Congratulations on the phenomenal career @M_Raj03. Wishing you good luck for all your future endeavours. https://t.co/sTxxOKcA1G

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) June 8, 2022

Congratulations @M_Raj03 on a glorious career. You are a role model and an inspiration to many. Wishing you the very best in your second innings 👏👏

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) June 8, 2022

A story, a journey, a life worth telling. You’re and will always be an inspiration for every girl who dreams of playing cricket for India. A monumental career to say the least. Congratulations and have a great life ahead. 🙏🏽🇮🇳 https://t.co/tgOkfKLa8B

— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) June 8, 2022

Happy retirement legend. You have set an example for women not only in our country but around the world. Best wishes for your 2nd innings! https://t.co/D8SZgwCYxq

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) June 8, 2022

Even though you know this day is coming, you can’t help but feel a little sad 😔. An amazing player that put cricket on the map especially in 🇮🇳 Loved playing against you & enjoyed watching you adapt your game to keep up with all these youngsters. Enjoy the next phase Mithali xx https://t.co/QIK9nE1Vdo

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) June 8, 2022

Most runs. 23 long years. The Greatest of All Time. 🐐🇮🇳

Thank you for everything, Mithali Raj. 👑💗 pic.twitter.com/NMG2YMCiY3

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 8, 2022

https://twitter.com/raghavacharya95/status/1534466267297378304

+1 …. Ever since I knew women's cricket existed I knew her

Happy Retirement LEGEND @M_Raj03 ❤🙏 #ThankyouMithaliRaj #MithaliRaj#ThankYouMithali https://t.co/4Vno1rJEHc

— Dr. Abiram (@dr_abiram) June 8, 2022

What a wonderful career ! #Mithali Raj, what you did is not easy for a women in a game like cricket. Thank you #MithaliRaj . The nation is indebted by your service to Women's Cricket and Cricket!
Good luck for your 2nd innings .
Mithali Raj #retirement @M_Raj03 .. #waris pic.twitter.com/v39Vqnt7mS

— Waris Shaik (@waris_shaik) June 8, 2022

Happy Retirement Queen! 👸🤗❤

Thank you for your invaluable contribution to Indian Women's Cricket 🏏!!! 🙏🙏🙏#MithaliRaj #BCCI #INDvSA #INDvsSA #IPL2022 #GOAT𓃵 pic.twitter.com/FvMxyEdMv5

— THE ROCKSTAR (@VivJonty) June 8, 2022

Mithali Raj ends her 23-year long career with multiple records to her name

She walked into the game to take the cricketing world by storm. She scored a ton on her debut ODI game and marked her arrival in style in the year 1999. With that century, she became the youngest player to score a hundred in women’s cricket as she did it at the age of 16 years and 205 days. She became the youngest player to score a double-century in Women’s Tests as she achieved the feat when she was 19 years and 254 days old.

She has had the longest ODI career among all other cricketers in international cricket. Raj also holds the record for leading India in 155 matches, the most by any woman cricketer. With her retirement, she’ll be exiting the game as the highest run-scorer, with a total of 10,868 career international runs in 333 matches between 1999 and 2022.

Raj had stepped down from the captaincy in the T20I format but had been leading the ODI and Test squad before announcing her retirement. Over her glorious career of 23 years, she has played 232 ODIs, 89 T20Is, and 12 Tests for India. She will continue to support the game and be involved in the game in some capacity to help in the growth and development of women’s cricket. Raj’s contribution to the sport will be celebrated for years to come.