Mithali Raj Celebrates BCCI's Role in Women's Cricket Evolution

Mithali Raj, the legendary Indian cricketer, has acknowledged the significant impact of the BCCI on women's cricket during her acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Reflecting on her career and the evolution of the sport, she credits the board's leadership, particularly Jay Shah, for the recent advancements in the women's game. Mithali expresses pride in the achievements of Indian cricket across genders and emphasizes the importance of mentorship from male cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Her insights highlight the ongoing transformation and success of women's cricket in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 16:58 IST

Mithali Raj's Tribute to BCCI

New Delhi, March 16: Renowned Indian cricketer Mithali Raj has expressed her gratitude towards the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its pivotal role in transforming women's cricket, following her receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent annual awards ceremony.

Having retired from international cricket in 2022 as the leading run-scorer in women's cricket history, Mithali's illustrious career spanned 23 years, during which she played 12 Tests, 232 ODIs, and 89 T20Is for India. She acknowledged the numerous individuals who contributed to her journey, emphasizing that her success was not solely due to her parents but also the support from coaches, teammates, and mentors.

“The evolution of women's cricket has been remarkable, and I must credit many individuals, especially the BCCI, for their significant contributions. Jay Shah's vision and commitment over the past few years have led to a substantial transformation in the Indian women's cricket team,” Mithali stated in a video shared by the BCCI.

She highlighted the recent achievements of Indian cricket across all formats and genders, expressing pride in the progress made. “In the last few years, both men's and women's cricket, including the under-19 teams, have excelled, and as a former player, it fills me with pride to witness this growth. I have long wished for Indian cricket to dominate, and that time has finally arrived,” she remarked.

Mithali also reflected on the inspiration she drew from cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid during her career. “Every journey takes time, and women's cricket has had its own path, just like men's cricket. I have learned a lot from male cricketers, especially from Rahul and Sachin, who have always been supportive and provided valuable advice during our interactions at the NCA and COE,” she shared.

“This exchange between male and female cricketers is beneficial as we strive to meet the standards set by men's cricket. As a former player, I take pride in the evolution of women's cricket and the fearless style of play exhibited by the current generation, which is now winning trophies. Walking past the numerous awards at the event was truly inspiring,” she concluded.