Mithali Raj becomes leading run-scorer in Women's ODIs
Indian women's team captain Mithali Raj went past England's Charlotte Edwards to become the leading run scorer in the history of women's ODI cricket. While batting against Australia in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, Raj not only broke Charlotte's record, but also became the first woman to score 6000 ODI runs. She achieved the feat in just 164 innings.
Who is Mithali Raj?
Mithali Raj is the captain of the Indian women's cricket team. She made her international debut in 1999. One of the most talented players in women's cricket, she has broken many records over the years. As a captain, she led the Indian women's team to the finals of the 50 over World Cup in 2005, India's best performance in the tournament till now.
Youngest cricketer to score a century
In 1999, Mithali Raj broke Shahid Afridi's record and became the youngest cricketer to score a century. Mithali scored unbeaten 114 runs in her debut match when she was only 16 years and 205 days old.
Records broken by Mithali Raj
Mithali Raj has the second highest score in test cricket to her name, and is also India's highest run scorer in T20 internationals. Currently ICC's second ranked ODI batswoman, she had topped the ranking in 2013. She is also India's most capped captain of the women's cricket team, having led the team in 101 ODIs, six tests and 32 T20 internationals.
Awards and honours
Mithali was conferred with Arjuna Award in 2003 and Padma Shri in 2015 by the Government of India for her exceptional performances and contribution to the women's cricket in India.
ICC Women's Cricket WC- Mithali leads Indian team to victory
Indian women's cricket team started their campaign in the 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup with a comfortable 35-run win against England. Skipper Mithali Raj, along with openers Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut scored half centuries as India put on a fantastic batting display. With this half-century Raj broke the record of the most consecutive half-centuries in women's ODIs.
Seventh consecutive fifty
Mithali Raj broke another record of scoring seven consecutive half-centuries, going past many legends from men's cricket. Before her 71-run knock against England, she had scored 70*, 64, 73*, 51*, 54 and 62*. Pakistan's Javed Miandad is ahead of Raj, with nine consecutive half-centuries.
47th half century for skipper Mithali
Mithali Raj, the second highest run scorer in women's ODI, hit her 47th international half century against England. She surpassed England's Charlotte Edwards to score the most half-centuries by any international woman cricketer. With 5852 runs, she is just 140-runs behind Edwards to become the highest scoring woman cricketer of all time and is only the second woman to go past 5000-run mark.
