Mithali Raj and Srikanth Kidambi Visit Tirumala Temple Ahead of Major Sporting Events
Visit to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
On Wednesday, former Indian cricket star Mithali Raj and current badminton player Srikanth Kidambi made a visit to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple located in the Tirupati district. Mithali participated in the Thomala Seva, offering her prayers to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, while Srikanth attended the temple with his wife.
Mithali Raj's Remarkable Cricket Journey
Mithali Raj, who led the Indian women's cricket team from 2005 until 2022, is celebrated as one of the finest cricketers in the nation’s history. Over her impressive 23-year career, she became the top run-scorer in women's One Day Internationals (ODIs), accumulating 7,805 runs and significantly enhancing the profile of women's cricket in India.
Throughout her career, Mithali played in 333 matches, amassing a total of 10,868 runs in international cricket, the highest for any female player. Her exceptional contributions to the sport earned her the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women. As captain, she led India to two ICC Women's World Cup finals, inspiring future generations and contributing to the global growth of women's cricket in India.
Srikanth Kidambi and Upcoming Thomas & Uber Cup Finals
Meanwhile, Srikanth Kidambi is poised to be a key player for India's men's badminton team at the upcoming 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, scheduled to take place in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has assembled a team that includes a blend of seasoned players and promising newcomers.
The men's team for the 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup Finals includes: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, H. S. Prannoy, Kiran George, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan, M. R. Arjun, and Dhruv Kapila.
The women's team comprises: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag, Isharani Baruah, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Kavipriya Selvam, Simran Singhi, and Tanisha Crasto.