Mithali Raj Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Sophie Devine After Her Final ODI
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Visakhapatnam, October 27 (TheTrendingPeople.com): Former India captain Mithali Raj paid an emotional tribute to New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, who played her 159th and final One Day International (ODI) at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Mithali praised Devine for setting a “standard for excellence and camaraderie” that will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.
A Glorious Career Spanning Nearly Two Decades
Sophie Devine, one of the most celebrated all-rounders in women’s cricket, made her ODI debut in 2006 against Australia and brought down the curtain on a remarkable 18-year international career.
Over the years, Devine has carved a unique place in the sport with her exceptional performances both with bat and ball. She finishes her ODI career with 4,279 runs, including nine centuries, and 111 wickets with her seam bowling — a record that places her among the elite in world cricket.
Notably, Devine remains the only New Zealand player and the third cricketer overall in women’s cricket history to achieve the rare double of 4,000+ runs and 100+ wickets in the ODI format.
Mithali Raj’s Emotional Message
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Mithali Raj, one of Devine’s fiercest contemporaries and long-time admirers, shared a heartfelt message lauding the Kiwi star’s legacy.
“Your journey with the White Ferns has been a testament to hard work, resilience, and leadership. You’ve set a standard for excellence and camaraderie that will inspire generations to come. Best wishes for what lies ahead,” Mithali wrote.
The Indian veteran’s post quickly went viral, with fans and players from around the world echoing her sentiments, celebrating Devine’s remarkable contribution to the sport.
A Bittersweet Farewell in Visakhapatnam
Devine’s final ODI ended in disappointment as New Zealand suffered an eight-wicket loss, marking a subdued end to both her personal journey and the White Ferns’ campaign in the tournament.
Despite the result, the moment was filled with emotion. As Devine walked off the field after scoring 23 runs and taking one wicket, she was greeted by a guard of honour from players of both teams — a mark of respect for her illustrious career and sportsmanship.
“I Wanted to Go Out on a High” — Devine Reflects
Addressing the media after her final match, an emotional Devine admitted that the end didn’t unfold the way she had hoped.
“It’s disappointing. Not to make it about me but I really wanted to go out on a high and the performance wasn’t there today,” she said.
“It’s not the way we wanted our tournament to go, but there are bigger things in life, so we’ll move on.”
Despite the loss, Devine reflected with grace and perspective, emphasizing the importance of resilience and growth beyond the game.
Hope for the Future of Women’s Cricket
Looking beyond her own farewell, Sophie Devine expressed optimism about the next generation of New Zealand cricketers and the rising standards in women’s cricket globally.
“It’s just confidence and belief. We spoke about it after the World Cup win last year — we are good enough to be here. When we play our best cricket, we can beat any team in the world,” Devine remarked.
“I’m really excited about the talent starting to come through, the energy in the group — they have such a high ceiling. It’s just about that self-belief and knowing their best is good enough.”
Her remarks underscored her role not just as a player, but as a mentor and motivator for the younger generation — qualities that have defined her leadership with the White Ferns.
A Legacy of Leadership and Impact
Throughout her career, Sophie Devine has been celebrated for her fearless batting, fiery bowling, and strategic leadership. Under her captaincy, New Zealand emerged as one of the most competitive teams in women’s cricket, crowned by their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victory last year.
Off the field, Devine has been an advocate for mental health awareness, women’s empowerment, and equality in sport — causes she has spoken about passionately throughout her career.
Cricket fans remember her not only for her explosive batting and game-changing spells but also for her sportsmanship and humility — qualities that have earned her admiration across the cricketing world.
The Global Cricketing Community Bids Farewell
Tributes poured in from across the globe as teammates, opponents, and fans celebrated Devine’s stellar career. Former players like Suzie Bates, Meg Lanning, and Harmanpreet Kaur shared messages on social media highlighting Devine’s impact on the game.
Sports journalist Anjum Chopra wrote, “Sophie Devine redefined the all-rounder’s role in women’s cricket — fearless on the field, grounded off it.”
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Sophie Devine’s farewell marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket. Her unmatched record, leadership qualities, and sportsmanship have set a gold standard for players around the world.
As Mithali Raj beautifully summed up, Devine’s career is a testament to resilience, passion, and grace — qualities that will continue to inspire not just future White Ferns, but women athletes across sports.