Mithali Raj, the legendary former captain of the India Women’s cricket team, recently engaged in an insightful conversation on a podcast hosted by Ranveer Allahbadia, where she candidly revealed her favourite franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Mithali Raj names her favourite IPL team

Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)‘s massive following and the fact that Ranveer himself is an ardent supporter of the franchise, Mithali’s loyalty lies elsewhere.

“So as an IPL viewer, are you a fan of RCB,” Ranveer asked.

She disclosed that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) holds a special place in her heart.

” No I’m a Sunrises fan,” Mithali replied.

Explaining her connection, Mithali shared that even though SRH has experienced its share of ups and downs over the years, she remains fiercely supportive due to her deep-rooted ties to the team as it represents her home state. This commitment to SRH is a testament to her unyielding passion for cricket and her unwavering allegiance to the teams that resonate with her personal and professional background.

“I still believe that sometimes teams are not good otherwise if it is your state team then you have support,” Mithali concluded.

Mithali Raj is a Riser 🧡🧡🧡 proud Hyderabadi 🧡🧡🧡 pic.twitter.com/IeQaS318AK

— Rahul Gummadi (@TweetinRahul) December 2, 2024

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The iconic career of Mithali Raj

Mithali’s cricketing career is nothing short of legendary. As one of the most iconic and accomplished cricketers in the history of women’s cricket, her impact on the sport extends far beyond her statistics. Over a career that spanned more than 20 years, Mithali etched her name into the annals of cricket history with a remarkable tally of 7,805 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs), maintaining an impressive average of 50.68, which is a testament to her consistency, elegance, and technical mastery.

Her seven centuries in ODIs stand as proof of her ability to play long innings under immense pressure, showcasing her skill and resilience time and time again. Apart from her ODI achievements, Mithali was also highly successful in Test cricket, where she managed to score a century, displaying the same level of concentration and adaptability. For over a decade, she was not only a top-order batter but also the cornerstone of the Indian batting lineup, offering stability and a sense of assurance to her teammates.

Mentorship and leadership beyond playing days

Since retiring from international cricket in June 2022, Mithali has continued to make significant contributions to the sport by taking on mentorship roles. Her first foray into post-retirement coaching came when she joined Gujarat Giants (GG) as a mentor in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). In this capacity, she used her extensive cricketing acumen to guide and nurture budding talent, offering insights and strategies to help the team achieve its potential.

In addition to her involvement in the WPL, Mithali has recently taken on a new role as the mentor for Women’s Cricket Operations at the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA). This position marks a significant step forward in her mission to contribute to the growth and development of women’s cricket at the grassroots level.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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