Indian women's cricketer Mithali Raj achieves this milestone: Details here
Indian women's cricketer Mithali Raj has become the first woman to have an international career lasting more than 20 years. She achieved the feat during the first ODI against South Africa of the three-match series in Vadodara on Wednesday. India beat the Proteas women by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead. Here's more on Mithali's achievement.
Veteran star Mithali, who made her ODI debut against Ireland on June 26, 1999, completed 20 years and 105 days in the 50-over format. With this feat, she has become the only woman to have played ODI cricket for over two decades.
Longest women’s ODI career
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) October 9, 2019
20y 105d Raj IND👈
19y 195d Shillington IRE
19y 42d Brittin ENG
18y 348d Hockley NZ
18y 347d Joyce IRE
Longest ODI career (men or women)
22y 91d Tendulkar IND
21y 184d Jayasuriya SL
20y 272d Miandad PAK
20y 105d Raj IND👈
19y 337d Gayle WI#INDvSA https://t.co/59FsBdgb52
Mithali also holds the fourth spot in terms of longest ODI career comprising men's and women's cricket. Overall, legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for having the longest international career (22 years and 91 days). He is followed by former Lankan ace Sanath Jayasuriya (21 years and 184 days) and Javed Miandad (20 years and 272 days) of Pakistan.
Mithali also holds the record for the most ODIs played in women's cricket (204). She has amassed the most ODI runs till date in women's cricket (6,731). Mithali is the only batswoman to notch 50-plus fifties in ODI cricket (52). She has amassed seven ODI centuries (most by an Indian). She has represented India in 10 Tests and 89 T20Is as well.
Meanwhile, the Indian women's cricket team rode on an all-round show to defeat South Africa. Batting first, South Africa managed 164/10 in 45.1 overs. Jhulan Goswami (3/33), Ekta Bisht (2/28) and Shikha Pandey (2/38) bowled well to hurt the visitors. In reply, Priya Punia struck an unbeaten 124-ball 75. Her opening partner Jemimah Rodrigues (55) also chipped in. India won the match comfortably.
