Birthday special: Mithali Raj – Top records in international cricket
Legendary India batter Mithali Raj was born in Jodhpur Rajasthan on December 3. The former India captain turns 41 today and to celebrate the big day of one of the stalwarts of Indian cricket, we delve deep into her illustrious career where she earned numerous accolades with her stellar performances on the field.
Mithali made her international debut in an ODI vs Ireland in 1999 on June 26 and announced her arrival in style with a magnificent 114*. After a thunderous start to her career, there was no looking back for Mithali who went on to play 12 Tests, 232 ODIs and 89 T20Is for India and scored a truckload of runs across all three formats. On her birthday, we look at the top records held by her in international cricket.
1. Youngest player to score a double hundred in Women’s Tests
On August 16 2002, Mithali became the youngest player to score a double hundred in Women’s Tests as she played a brilliant innings of 214 (407) in just her third Test vs England in Taunton.
2. Most Runs in Women’s ODIs
The right-handed batter started her career with a sensational hundred vs Ireland and went on to score the most number of runs in the history of ODIs. Mithali finished her career with 7805 runs from 211 innings at an average of 50.68 with seven hundreds and 64 fifties to her name.
3. Most Consecutive fifties in WODIs (7)
The 41-year-old registered seven consecutive fifties in 2017 as Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, South Africa and England at the receiving end of her tremendous form.
4. Most fifties in WODIs (64)
The Rajasthan-born batting sensation also holds the record for the most number of fifties in ODIs, with 64 half-centuries in her career.
5. Highest partnership for seventh wicket in Tests
Mithali also holds the record for the highest partnership for the seventh wicket in the history of Test cricket along with Jhulan Goswami. The duo added 157
runs together against England in Taunton in August 2002 and took India’s score from 297/6 to 454/7.
6. Longest career in WODIs
The former India skipper further has the crown for the longest career in Women’s ODIs on her head with a career spanning 22 years and 274 days.
