Viacom18 Motion Pictures which has backed sports films like Mary Kom and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag had acquired the rights for cricketer Mithali Raj's biopic in September, 2017. And last year actress Taapsee Pannu who had then starred in a sports-biopic titled Soorma, had expressed interest in playing the lead role. 

Now, it has been confirmed that Taapsee who took up shooting for Saand Ki Aankh and athletics for Rashmi Rocket, will be seen playing cricket for the Mithali Raj biopic. An Arjuna cum Padma Shri awardee, Mithali Raj is the first Indian to have led the national team to an ICC ODI World Cup final twice (2005 and 2017).

Happy Birthday Captain @M_Raj03 On this Birthday, I don’t know what gift I can give you but this promise that I shall give it all I have to make sure you will be proud of what you see of yourself on screen with #ShabaashMithu
P.S- I’m all prepared to learn THE ‘cover drive’ pic.twitter.com/a8Ha6BMoFs

— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) December 3, 2019

She is also the only woman cricketer to surpass the 6,000 run mark in ODIs and the film based on her has been titled Shabaash Mithu.