Mithali Raj Celebrates Indian Cricket's Rise to Global Prominence

Mithali Raj expresses her pride in Indian cricket's recent achievements, including the men's T20 World Cup win and the women's ODI World Cup title. She highlights the significant transformation in women's cricket, thanks to the efforts of Jay Shah and the BCCI. Raj also reflects on the importance of mentorship from legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, emphasizing the value of interaction between male and female cricketers. This article delves into the milestones reached by Indian cricket and the inspiring journey of its players.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 12:53 IST

A Dream Realized for Indian Cricket

Mithali Raj expressed her excitement as her vision of Indian cricket achieving global supremacy is now unfolding, with the men's, women's, and junior teams securing significant world titles in recent years.

The Indian men's team broke a decade-long title drought by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, while the women's team celebrated their first ICC trophy by clinching the ODI World Cup last year.

Moreover, India's success has also been evident in the junior categories, with under-19 teams capturing world titles, further solidifying the nation's reputation as a cricketing powerhouse.

At the BCCI Naman awards, Mithali remarked, 'For a long time, I wished for Indian cricket to excel, and now that moment has arrived.'

She added, 'In the past few years, Indian cricket—across men, women, and under-19 teams—has performed exceptionally well. As a former player, it fills me with pride to witness the growth of Indian cricket.'

Honors and Acknowledgments

During the BCCI's annual event, Mithali, along with former cricketers Rahul Dravid and Roger Binny, received the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

She credited Jay Shah, the current ICC Chief and former BCCI secretary, for his pivotal role in revolutionizing Indian cricket, especially for women.

Mithali stated, 'I've witnessed the transformation of women's cricket and must recognize the support from BCCI and Jay sir. Over the last four to five years, the Indian women's cricket team has undergone significant changes, largely due to his efforts.'

She praised Shah's vision and dedication to enhancing the profile of women's cricket globally, noting, 'His commitment is evident, and he is truly a visionary.'

Advancements in Women's Cricket

Under Shah's leadership, the BCCI introduced equal match fees for male and female cricketers and launched the fully professional Women's Premier League.

As a pioneer in women's cricket, Mithali acknowledged the influence of legendary male cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Dravid throughout her career.

'Women's cricket has had its own path, just as men's cricket has. However, we have drawn considerable inspiration from our male counterparts,' she remarked.

'I have learned a lot from Rahul and Sachin, as our conversations about batting and their advice have significantly benefited my game.'

The Importance of Interaction

Mithali emphasized the value of interactions between male and female cricketers, stating that such exchanges greatly benefit women players striving to meet the standards set by their male counterparts.

'This interaction is crucial as we aim to match the excellence of men's cricket, and both have been performing admirably,' she noted.

Reflecting on his journey, former BCCI President and 1983 World Cup champion Roger Binny shared insights from his experiences as a player, coach, and administrator.

'I was lucky to represent India, and given our country's vast population, not many get that opportunity. For me, playing for my country was the pinnacle of my cricketing career,' he shared.

'After retiring, I took a break but soon realized I could contribute more to the sport, which led me to coaching, starting from my home state of Karnataka and then working with the Indian U19s and Junior India teams. It was rewarding to pass on knowledge to the next generation of cricketers.'