Mithali Raj is one of the most famous women in Indian sport, and people naturally want to know about the life she lives away from the cricket ground. The simple answer is that Mithali Raj is not married and does not have a husband. She has chosen to stay single, and she has spoken about it openly and happily more than once.
But there is a lot more to her story than her relationship status. In this article, we look at who Mithali Raj is, her family, her childhood, her 23-year career, her records, her lifestyle, her net worth, and of course everything she has said about marriage.
Who Is Mithali Raj?
Mithali Dorai Raj is a former Indian cricketer and the longest-serving captain of the India women’s national cricket team. She led the side from 2004 to 2022 and is the highest run-scorer in the history of women’s international cricket. Fans lovingly call her the “Lady Tendulkar” of Indian cricket, a title that reflects her class, consistency and long career.
She made her international debut in 1999 as a teenager and kept playing until 2022, which gave her the longest career in the history of women’s ODI cricket. During this time, she took Indian women’s cricket from a game played in near-empty stadiums to a sport watched by millions. Her calm batting style, sharp leadership and quiet dignity made her a role model for an entire generation of young girls who now play the game professionally.
After retiring, she has stayed close to cricket as a mentor, commentator and voice for the women’s game. In 2026, she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI Naman Awards, a fitting recognition of everything she has given to Indian cricket.
Quick Profile of Mithali Raj
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mithali Dorai Raj |
| Nicknames | Mithu, Lady Tendulkar |
| Profession | Former Cricketer, Commentator, Mentor |
| Date of Birth | 3 December 1982 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 43 years |
| Birthplace | Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India |
| Hometown | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Husband | None |
| Father | Dorai Raj |
| Mother | Leela Raj |
| Brother | Mithun Raj |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm leg break |
| Role | Top-order Batter |
| ODI Debut | 26 June 1999 vs Ireland |
| Test Debut | 14 January 2002 vs England |
| T20I Debut | 5 August 2006 vs England |
| International Retirement | 8 June 2022 |
| Biopic | Shabaash Mithu (2022) |
Birth, Age and Hometown
Mithali Raj was born on 3 December 1982 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. As of 2026, she is 43 years old. Even though she was born in Rajasthan, her roots are Tamil. Her family belongs to a Tamil background, and her father’s job in the Indian Air Force meant the family moved around in her early years.
The family later settled in Hyderabad, and that city became her true home. Hyderabad is where she learned the game, trained for long hours and built the foundation of her career. Even today, she is closely linked with Hyderabad and Telangana, and she is often seen at cricket events in the city. So while Jodhpur is her birthplace, Hyderabad is the place that shaped Mithali Raj.
Early Life and Childhood
Here is something many people do not know. Cricket was not Mithali’s first love. As a little girl, she was deeply into Bharatanatyam, the classical Indian dance form, and she trained in it seriously for years. She has said in interviews that she once dreamed of becoming a dancer.
Cricket came into her life almost by accident. Her father was a strict disciplinarian and noticed that young Mithali liked to sleep late. To get her out of bed early, he started taking her along to her elder brother Mithun’s cricket coaching sessions. At first she would just sit at the boundary and do her homework. Slowly, she started picking up a bat in between, and the coaches noticed something special in the way she played.
She started playing cricket around the age of 10. Within a few years, she was clearly far ahead of girls her age. At one point she had to make a difficult choice between dance and cricket because she could not give full time to both. She chose cricket, and Indian sport is richer because of that decision.
Education and Early Interests
Mithali did her schooling at Keyes High School for Girls in Secunderabad. Later, she studied at Kasturba Gandhi Junior College for Women, also in Secunderabad. Balancing studies with cricket was not easy, but her parents made sure she did not neglect her education.
Her early cricket coaching came under Jyothi Prasad, and later she trained under coach Sampath Kumar, who played a huge role in shaping her technique. Sampath Kumar was known for his tough training methods, and Mithali has often credited him for building her solid defence and patience at the crease.
Apart from dance and cricket, Mithali is known to be a keen reader. She was often seen reading books in the dressing room before going out to bat, a habit that became one of her trademarks. Teammates have said it helped her stay calm before big innings.
Mithali Raj Height, Weight and Physical Details
| Physical Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (approx. 163 cm) |
| Weight | Around 58 kg (approx.) |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Body Type | Athletic and fit |
| Fitness Routine | Regular training, yoga and gym work |
Family Members of Mithali Raj
Mithali comes from a close-knit, middle-class Tamil family. Her father, Dorai Raj, served as an Airman (Warrant Officer) in the Indian Air Force. He was a disciplined man, and that discipline rubbed off on Mithali early in life. He also played a big role in pushing her toward cricket, and he backed her career at a time when very few Indian parents saw cricket as a career option for their daughters.
Her mother, Leela Raj, made big sacrifices for her daughter’s career. She reportedly gave up her own job so she could look after Mithali’s needs, travel and training. Leela Raj has said in interviews that she never pressured Mithali about marriage because she understood how much cricket meant to her daughter.
Mithali also has an elder brother, Mithun Raj. In a way, he is the reason Mithali ever picked up a bat, since it was his coaching sessions that she first attended as a child. The family has always stayed out of the media glare, but Mithali often shares warm family moments on social media.
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Mithali Raj Career Journey
Early Domestic Career
Mithali’s talent was spotted very early. She was picked for India’s World Cup probables squad when she was only 14 years old, in 1997, though she did not make the final team at that time. In domestic cricket, she played for Andhra and later Air India, and she went on to represent Railways for many years. Railways was the strongest domestic women’s side of that era, and playing there kept her in top form.
International Debut With a Century (1999)
Mithali made her ODI debut on 26 June 1999 against Ireland at Milton Keynes in England. She was just 16 years old. And she did not just debut, she scored an unbeaten 114. It was a sign of things to come. Very few players in the world have announced themselves in such a way on debut.
Test Debut and the Famous 214 (2002)
She played her first Test in January 2002 against England in Lucknow. Later that same year, she created history at Taunton, England, by scoring 214 in a Test match against England. At the time, it was the highest individual score in women’s Test cricket. She was only 19. Even today, she is the only Indian woman to have scored a double century in Tests.
Becoming Captain (2004 Onwards)
By 2004, Mithali had been handed the captaincy of the Indian team. It was a big responsibility for a young player, but she took it on calmly. Under her leadership, India reached the final of the 2005 Women’s World Cup in South Africa, where they lost to Australia. It was the first time India had reached a World Cup final, and it changed how people looked at women’s cricket in the country.
The Ups and Downs of the 2000s
The late 2000s were tough years for women’s cricket in India. The game had little money, few matches and almost no television coverage. In 2006, the women’s game came under the BCCI, which brought slow but steady improvement. Through all these changes, Mithali remained the one constant figure, piling up runs and keeping the team together.
The 2017 World Cup: The Turning Point
If one tournament changed women’s cricket in India, it was the 2017 Women’s World Cup in England. Mithali led India brilliantly, scoring heavily throughout the event. During the tournament, she became the leading run-scorer in women’s ODI history, overtaking England’s Charlotte Edwards. She also became the first woman to cross 6,000 ODI runs.
India reached the final at Lord’s and came agonisingly close to winning before losing to England by just nine runs. Although the team did not lift the trophy, the whole country watched. Millions of Indians suddenly fell in love with women’s cricket, and the players came home as heroes. That final is often called the moment the women’s game truly arrived in India.
T20 Career and Retirement From T20Is (2019)
Mithali played 89 T20 Internationals for India and was the team’s first T20I captain. She scored over 2,000 runs in the format. In September 2019, she retired from T20Is so she could focus on ODI cricket and the 2022 World Cup.
The Final Chapter and Retirement (2022)
Mithali played her last international match at the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, where India narrowly missed out on the semi-finals after a last-ball loss to South Africa. With that tournament, she became the first woman to play in six ODI World Cups (2000, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022).
On 8 June 2022, she announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket, ending a career of 22 years and 274 days in ODIs, the longest in women’s ODI history. In her farewell message, she said the team was in safe hands with talented young players and that she wanted to stay involved in growing women’s cricket.
Life After Retirement: Mentor and Commentator
Mithali did not walk away from cricket after retiring. When the Women’s Premier League (WPL) began in 2023, she joined the Gujarat Giants as mentor and advisor. She has also become a well-known face in the commentary box. She was part of the commentary team at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023, and in 2026 she was named on the ICC commentary panel for the Women’s T20 World Cup held in England.
In March 2026, the BCCI honoured her with the Lifetime Achievement Award for women at the Naman Awards in New Delhi, alongside Rahul Dravid and Roger Binny. For fans, it felt like the perfect tribute to the woman who carried Indian women’s cricket on her shoulders for more than two decades.
Mithali Raj Career Stats
Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 12 | 699 | 214 | 43.68 | 1 | 4 |
| ODI | 232 | 7,805 | 125* | 50.68 | 7 | 64 |
| T20I | 89 | 2,364 | 97* | 37.52 | 0 | 17 |
| Total (International) | 333 | 10,868 | 214 | — | 8 | 85 |
Captaincy Record
| Format | Matches as Captain | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| ODI | 155 | Most ODIs as captain in women’s cricket |
| Test | 8 | Led India in Tests from 2004 onwards |
| T20I | 32 | India’s first T20I captain |
Husband, Relationships and Personal Life
Now to the question that brings most people here. Mithali Raj is not married, and she does not have a husband. As of 2026, she is single, and by her own words, she is perfectly happy that way.
In a 2018 interview with Mid-Day, she said that marriage was something she thought about when she was very young, but the idea no longer crosses her mind when she looks at married people. She added that she is very happy being single. It was an honest answer, and many fans appreciated how comfortable she was with her choice.
On a podcast with Ranveer Allahabadia, Mithali shared a more personal story. She revealed that she once met a man who told her she would have to give up cricket after marriage. That moment made her drop the idea of getting married. For someone whose whole life was built around the game, that condition was simply unacceptable.
In another interview, she admitted she had been in relationships in the past, but she never made any of them public. She has also joked that women cricketers do not get the same kind of attention from fans that male cricketers receive.
In 2024, a strange rumour went viral claiming that Mithali was going to marry former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan. The rumour gained traction after Dhawan’s divorce, and social media was flooded with posts. Dhawan later laughed it off on his own show, saying he had also heard he was marrying Mithali Raj. There was no truth to it, and neither of them has ever been in a relationship with the other.
Interestingly, her biopic “Shabaash Mithu” also touches on this theme. In the film, Mithali considers getting married but realises it would mean saying goodbye to cricket, and she chooses the game. While the film adds some drama, it reflects the real choice she made in her life.
Awards, Records and Achievements
- Arjuna Award (2003) – recognised early in her career for outstanding performance
- Padma Shri (2015) – India’s fourth-highest civilian honour
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021) – the first woman cricketer to receive India’s highest sporting award
- Wisden Leading Cricketer of the Year (2017) – after her brilliant 2017 World Cup
- BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award (2026) – honoured at the BCCI Naman Awards
- Highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket – over 10,800 runs across formats
- Highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs – 7,805 runs
- First woman to score 6,000 and 7,000 ODI runs
- First woman to play 200 ODIs
- Longest career in women’s ODIs – 22 years and 274 days
- Most ODIs as captain in women’s cricket – 155 matches
- First woman to play six ODI World Cups
- Seven consecutive ODI half-centuries – a world record in women’s ODIs
- Most half-centuries in women’s ODIs – 64 fifties
- Only Indian woman with a Test double century – 214 vs England in 2002
- Century on ODI debut – 114* vs Ireland at age 16
- Led India to two ODI World Cup finals – 2005 and 2017
Batting and Bowling Style
Mithali Raj is a right-handed top-order batter, and she is known for her classical technique. Her batting was never about wild slogging. It was about timing, placement and reading the game. She had a rock-solid defence, a beautiful cover drive and a great ability to rotate the strike with singles and twos. She built innings carefully, often anchoring the team while others played around her.
What made her special was her temperament. She rarely looked rushed, even in pressure situations, and she could adjust her game depending on the match. This is why she averaged over 50 in ODIs across more than two decades, a remarkable achievement in any era.
She also bowled right-arm leg spin, though only occasionally. Bowling was never her main job, but she picked up a handful of ODI wickets and could roll her arm over when the team needed a few overs.
Lifestyle, House and Car Collection
Mithali lives a fairly simple and private life in Hyderabad. She owns a home in the city where she has spent most of her life. Unlike many celebrities, she does not show off luxury on social media. Her posts are mostly about cricket, fitness, travel, family and the books she reads.
She is a big believer in fitness, and even after retirement she keeps up regular workouts and yoga. Reading remains one of her favourite hobbies, and she has also returned to her love for dance at times, sharing glimpses of it with fans.
As for cars, reports suggest she owns a BMW, which she reportedly received after her 2017 World Cup heroics. Several players from that squad were gifted cars as a reward for their performance. Beyond that, she keeps her personal assets out of the public eye.
Net Worth, Salary and Income Sources
Mithali Raj’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹40 to ₹45 crore (roughly USD 5 to 6 million) as of 2026. These are estimates, as she has never publicly shared her exact earnings.
During her playing days, her main income came from her BCCI central contract, where she was in the top Grade A category, along with match fees from Tests, ODIs and T20Is. She also received prize money and cash rewards from the government and cricket bodies, especially after the 2017 World Cup.
After retirement, her income has come from several sources. She earns from her role as mentor and advisor in the WPL, commentary work with broadcasters and the ICC, brand endorsements, speaking events and appearances. The release of her biopic “Shabaash Mithu” in 2022 also added to her popularity and brand value. Her name is still one of the most respected in Indian cricket, which keeps her in demand.
Lesser-Known Facts About Mithali Raj
Mithali’s life is full of interesting little details that many fans have never heard. Here are some of them:
- She was a trained Bharatanatyam dancer before she became a cricketer, and she once wanted to dance professionally.
- Her father took her to cricket coaching mainly to stop her from sleeping late in the mornings.
- She was selected in the World Cup probables list at just 14 years old.
- She scored a century on her ODI debut at the age of 16.
- She was famous for reading books in the dressing room before walking out to bat.
- Her 214 in 2002 was a world record in women’s Tests at that time.
- She is fluent in several languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English.
- Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu played her in the biopic “Shabaash Mithu,” released in July 2022.
- She once said Priyanka Chopra would be a good choice to play her on screen, before Taapsee was finalised.
- She played international cricket for 23 years, longer than many legends of the men’s game.
- She has been called “Lady Tendulkar,” a nickname that reflects her long career and tons of runs.
- She is one of the very few cricketers, male or female, to have played in six ODI World Cups.
Social Media Presence
Mithali Raj is active on social media and enjoys a strong fan following. She posts on Instagram, where she shares pictures from cricket events, training sessions, travel, family moments and personal milestones. She is also active on X (formerly Twitter), where she shares her views on cricket, congratulates players and posts about major events in women’s sport.
Her social media pages are very much like her personality: classy, positive and never controversial. She often uses her platform to encourage young girls to take up sports and to celebrate the achievements of the current Indian women’s team.
Conclusion
So, who is Mithali Raj’s husband? The answer is that she does not have one. Mithali Raj is unmarried and has chosen to stay single, a choice she has spoken about openly and with complete confidence. For her, cricket has always come first, and she was never willing to give it up for anyone.
But reducing her life to her relationship status would be unfair. Mithali Raj is one of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced. From scoring a century on debut at 16 to captaining India in two World Cup finals, from becoming the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket to receiving the Khel Ratna and the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award, her journey is truly inspiring. She did not just play the game, she built the path that today’s women cricketers now walk on. And that is a legacy far bigger than any headline about marriage.
FAQs About Mithali Raj
Who is Mithali Raj’s husband?
Mithali Raj does not have a husband. She is unmarried and has said she is happy being single.
Is Mithali Raj married?
No, Mithali Raj is not married. As of 2026, she remains single.
Why did Mithali Raj not get married?
She has said that marriage stopped crossing her mind as she grew older. She also shared that a man once told her she would have to quit cricket after marriage, which made her drop the idea.
Was Mithali Raj going to marry Shikhar Dhawan?
No. It was only a rumour that went viral in 2024. Shikhar Dhawan himself laughed it off, and there was never any truth to it.
How old is Mithali Raj?
Mithali Raj was born on 3 December 1982, so she is 43 years old as of 2026.
Where was Mithali Raj born?
She was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and grew up in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Who are Mithali Raj’s parents?
Her father is Dorai Raj, a former Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, and her mother is Leela Raj.
Does Mithali Raj have siblings?
Yes, she has an elder brother named Mithun Raj.
How many runs did Mithali Raj score in international cricket?
She scored more than 10,800 international runs, including 7,805 in ODIs, 2,364 in T20Is and 699 in Tests.
When did Mithali Raj retire?
She retired from T20Is in September 2019 and from all international cricket on 8 June 2022.
What is Mithali Raj’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is around ₹40 to ₹45 crore as of 2026.
Who played Mithali Raj in her biopic?
Taapsee Pannu played Mithali Raj in the 2022 biopic “Shabaash Mithu.”
What is Mithali Raj doing now?
She works as a cricket commentator, mentor and ambassador for women’s cricket. In 2026, she was on the ICC commentary panel for the Women’s T20 World Cup and received the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award.
Why is Mithali Raj called Lady Tendulkar?
She earned the nickname because of her long career, consistent run-scoring and status as the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket, much like Sachin Tendulkar in the men’s game.
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