Mithali Raj became the first individual in the history of women’s cricket to go past 5000 runs as captain but the India women’s cricket team lost to New Zealand by three wickets.
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Mithali Raj is a history-maker when it comes to women’s cricket. The 39-year-old, who has already created records by becoming the highest run-getter in ODIs, has now created another historic record. Playing in her 222nd match in the ODI against New Zealand in Queenstown, Mithali Raj notched up yet another fifty and shared a superb partnership with Richa Ghosh. The 110-run stand, plus Mithali’s 61st fifty saw India reach 270/6. This was the highest ODI total for India in contests against New Zealand.
But, when she reached 36, Mithali Raj entered an elite list of players. She became the first individual in the history of women’s cricket to reach 5000 runs as captain in ODIs. Mithali has captained the most ODIs by any woman player in history. Her average of 55.88 as captain is only bettered by Australia’s Meg Lanning who has 56.9. Mithali has the most number of fifties with 44. Her span as captain of ODIs has been 18 years. Out of 222 matches, she has been a captain in 145 games. This fifty was Mithali Raj’s seventh in the last nine innings.
Read – Khel Ratna Award Validation of Sacrifices: Mithali Raj
Mithali Raj is probably in the last days of her career as a cricketer. The ODIs against New Zealand and the subsequent ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 might be the last in her magnificent career. Mithali has been part of two ICC Women’s World Cup finals in 2005 and 2017. On both occasions, India had to suffer heartbreak. The 2005 World Cup was lost in a comprehensive way but the 2017 World Cup was heartbreak. India lost the final to England by nine runs at Lord’s thanks to a superb spell of bowling from Anya Shrubsole who took 6/46.
India will play three more ODIs before the action shifts to the ICC Women’s World Cup in March. Mithali Raj will be determined to ensure that she ends her career on a high. She is one of the last active cricketers, male or female, to be playing international cricket from the 90s. Mithali made her international debut in 1999 and this is her 23rd year.
India are currently trailing the five-match ODI series 0-2. The next match is on February 18 at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown. India even lost the one-off T20I by 18 runs at the start of the tour.
