India’s legendary cricketer, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on June 8, 2022. Her illustrious international career that spanned close to 23 years is a testament to her incredible service to the women’s sport. Raj has achieved many milestones along the journey. Let us look at some of her numbers:
Most number of matches as captain for India in ODI World Cups
During the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Mithali Raj surpassed Mohammed Azharuddin’s tally of 23 matches as captain in ODI World Cups. With 28 matches as captain, Raj has led India in the most number of matches in ODI World Cups, across men and women in the history of Indian cricket.
Most 50+ scores in Women’s World Cups
Mithali Raj went past New Zealand’s Debbie Hockley to register the highest number of 50+ scores in Women’s Cricket World Cups. In the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she broke Hockley’s record of 12. Raj has 13 scores of 50+, including 11 half-centuries and two centuries.
23 Year Long International journey has come to an end 😭#CricketTwitter #MithaliRaj pic.twitter.com/lj6Mx98cJH
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 8, 2022
Featured in the most number of World Cups
Mithali Raj equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s and Javed Miandad’s record to feature in six ODI World Cups. She is the only female cricketer to play six World Cups. She made her World Cup debut in New Zealand in 2000 and played her last World Cup also in New Zealand in 2022. In between, she took part in all the World Cups; 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017, leading India to the finals in 2005 and 2017.
Longest career
Mithali Raj is the only female cricketer to have played international cricket for more than 20 years. From her debut on June 26, 1999 to her last match on March 27, 2022, Raj’s international career spans across 22 years and 274 days. Among men cricketers, Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad and Sanath Jayasuriya have played international cricket for more than two decades.
Most matches and most runs as ODI captain
Mithali Raj has led India in 155 ODIs from 2004. She has scored 5319 runs, including 47 half-centuries and five centuries. She enjoyed a success rate of 58.55%. Her record of 155 ODIs and 5319 runs as captain is the highest in women’s cricket.
Take a bow, legend Mithali Raj ❤️#MithaliRaj #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/w5KXQE5GiC
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 8, 2022
Most capped women’s ODI player
Mithali Raj is the most capped ODI player in women’s cricket. She played a total of 232 ODIs, including her first on June 26, 1999 and her last on March 27, 2022.
Most runs in women’s international cricket
With 10868 across the three formats, Mithali Raj has the most runs in the history of women’s international cricket. She has scored 7805 runs in 232 ODIs, 2364 runs in 89 T20Is and 699 runs in 12 Tests. Her tally of 7805 runs is the highest in women’s ODI cricket.
Most consecutive ODIs
Mithali Raj played 109 ODIs on the trot between April 17, 2004 and February 7, 2013. This is the highest number of consecutive ODIs played by a woman cricketer.
This list of records is not exhaustive and there are many other records that Mithali Raj has created or broken. A legend in true sense, this run-machine will be missed.
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.