Twitter flooded with reactions as Mithali Raj announces retirement

One of India’s greatest women’s cricketers, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday. The legendary cricketer who became synonymous with women’s cricket said she wants to draw curtains and look for the second chapter of her life.

With one of the oldest women’s cricketers calling it a day, Indian cricket fans expressed their emotions in different ways. While some said Raj’s selfless services will be missed, some wished her a happy retirement. A few users also brought out the list of achievements Mithali Raj brought in her 22-year-long career and called her ‘The Greatest of All Time’.

Not just fans but everyone associated with cricket and Mithali Raj in some way expressed their gratitude for Raj’s contributions to Indian cricket. Indian Men’s cricketer Dinesh Karthik also shared a special tweet for Raj and wished her the best for future endeavors. “In India, the name Mithali Raj has been synonymous to women’s cricket. You have been an inspiration to millions all over the world. My best wishes to you for your future endeavors,” tweeted Karthik.

In India, the name Mithali Raj has been synonymous to women's cricket. You have been an inspiration to millions all over the world. My best wishes to you for your future endeavours @M_Raj03. 😊 pic.twitter.com/kchguzAB8E

— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 8, 2022

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also reacted and thanked Mithali for her contributions. “Your contribution to Indian Cricket has been phenomenal. Congratulations @M_Raj03 on an amazing career. You leave behind a rich legacy. We wish you all the very best for your second innings,” wrote BCCI.

Your contribution to Indian Cricket has been phenomenal. Congratulations @M_Raj03 on an amazing career. You leave behind a rich legacy.

We wish you all the very best for your second innings 🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/0R66EcM0gT

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 8, 2022

A few former cricketers like Wasim Jaffer, RP Singh, and VVS Laxman also extended their messages.

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

You can be very proud of your career. A true legend and and a hero who inspired millions to dream about playing cricket. Congratulations and best wishes for your new innings @M_Raj03 #Legend #CricketTwitter https://t.co/Lh8VNAAx5h

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 8, 2022

Congratulations @M_Raj03 on one beautiful journey. Fortunate to have played alongside. You’ve inspired oodles of young girls to take up the sport. Your name shall remained etched forever in the hearts of cricket fans. Well played, truly. 👏 #mithaliraj pic.twitter.com/rC5coLutSc

— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) June 8, 2022

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

Congratulations on a marvellous career @M_Raj03 🙌 You’ve been a fine example for cricketers across the country. Good luck for whatever lies ahead 😊👏 https://t.co/VuHla1691e

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 8, 2022

Check out other top reactions on Mithali Raj’s retirement:

🏏 One of the greatest of all time . Leading run scorer in womens cricket.
True legend Mithali Raj retired from all formats of cricket @M_Raj03 pic.twitter.com/2VeHqiOwt8

— Shahrooz Ahmad🏏🏟 (@ShahroozAMalik) June 8, 2022

Mithali Raj retires from the longer formats of the game, calling time on a storied international career spanning nearly 23 years.

12 Tests, 232 ODIs, 89 T20Is and a 10868-international run tally later, cricket is richer for her to have chosen the sport and played it for so long.

— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) June 8, 2022

The highest run scorer in women’s international cricket till date. One of the greatest in the game irrespective of the gender. Farewell, legend. ❤✨️ #MithaliRaj 🐐 pic.twitter.com/CBYXN9PFTl

— veee (@sonder_being) June 8, 2022

mithali raj. the words i associate with her are grace, poise & class – when she batted and how she conducted herself off the field. remember, before the pathbreaking 2017 world cup she had played for 18 years, shutting out the cynicism that surrounded the women's game. legend!

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) June 8, 2022

Women’s cricket in India was synonymous to Mithali Raj. My school teachers, who didn’t actively follow cricket, still called me Mithali whenever I played cricket because she pioneered the game. Expected this news but it’s incredibly heartbreaking and feels like the end of an era.

— Maya (@Silencio2501) June 8, 2022

Mithali Raj you are truly an inspiration for all the girls in India who want to achieve something not just cricket or sports. The way you have played for our beloved country is incredible. May god give you the bestest of things. #ThankYouMithaliRaj @M_Raj03

— Anul Anand (@38anul) June 8, 2022

Mithali Raj retires from all formats of the game, India thanking her for their all cricketing achievements #MithaliRaj pic.twitter.com/A2opujDRJ8

— Manoj Pareek (@mrpareekji) June 8, 2022