Hope That My Journey Inspires Young Girls: Mithali Raj After Receiving Khel Ratna Award

Indian women’s team ODI and Test captain Mithali Raj expressed her gratitude after being conferred Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on Saturday.

Mithali became the first woman cricketer to achieve the prestigious award and was amongst 12 sportspeople to receive Khel Ratna by India’s president Ram Nath Kovind.

Women in sport are powerful catalysts of change: Mithali Raj

The 38-year-old cricketer believes that young Indian girls get inspired by her story and achieve their personal dreams.

“Women in sport are powerful catalysts of change and when they get the appreciation they deserve, it inspires change in several other women wanting to achieve their dreams,” Mithali said in a statement posted on her official Twitter handle.

“I sincerely hope that my journey inspires young girls all across the country to pursue their dreams and know that only when you dream can you make it happen,” she further mentioned.

I always wanted to wear the blue jersey: Mithali Raj

Mithali has 321 matches in her illustrious international career that has spanned for more than two decades and the 2022 World Cup will be her swansong.

Mithali said her dream was to represent India in cricket and her award is the validation for the sacrifices she had to make to pursue her dreams.

“When I was growing up and learning to play this amazing game, representing my country was my dream. I always wanted to wear the blue jersey, which represents the absolute pride we feel for our nation,” Mithali mentioned.

“One strives for mastery but there are so many variables and infinite parameters that when success comes by, it often is a result of hours of grind every day.

“This award is a validation of those hours, of all the sacrifices a player makes her entire life. I just wanted to give cricket everything I had and I think I am happy that I’ve pushed myself harder and harder to get to this momentous day,” she added.

Mithali is the only player to score more than 10,000 runs in international cricket and second after Charlotte Edwards to achieve the feat.

Also Read: Watch: Mithali Raj Gets Conferred With Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award By President Ram Nath Kovind