India’s Best Batswoman: Things you should know about Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj, the name that we all are proud of today!

No less than a role model and icon to hundreds and thousands of young Indians, Mithali Raj has set herself to be the superwoman of Indian Women’s cricket team. For those of whom cricket is as great as their religion, Mithali is just as an idol. Let us have a quick look at some interesting facts about the ODI and Test captain of the country’s women’s cricket team.

Started cricket at 10

When we were probably holding a cricket bat and a ball in hand just for fun during our childhood days, Mithali actually started playing cricket as a profession at the early age of 10. Her father was an Air Force officer, and her parents got her admitted to a cricket coaching center to make sure she got rid of her laziness. Hardly did they realize, the 10-year-old kid would make history years later! Mithali even represented Air India, Railways and India Blue.

Youngest ODI century scorer

In 1999, Mithali was 16 years old, when she scored a run of 114 not out against Ireland at Milton Keynes. Also, when she was 19, she scored 214 against England, beating the record of Karen Rolton for the highest individual score at a Test match.

Excellent captain score

The cricketer also was the youngest to be the captain of the women’s cricket team, just when she aged 21, in the year 2004. She has by now led her team in around 100 matches, being the maximum ever done by any Indian women cricketer. In 2005, Mithali led her team to score the best run in the world cup and also held three victories in Asia Cup in between 2005 to 2008.

Received prestigious awards

In 2003, Mithali Raj won the Arjuna Award and later in the year 2015 she was also awarded with Padma Shri by the Indian Government. She also became the first ever women cricketer to be held as one of the six cricketers at the Wisden Indian Cricketers of the Year, back in 2015.

As great as Tendulkar

Mithali Raj is at present the leading run scorer of women’s cricket in ODIs, just as Sachin Tendulkar, who also leads in highest run scorer in men’s ODI holding 18426 runs overall. Mithali was also recognized as the first women to have scored a consecutive seven fifties in ODI and holds record of scoring the greatest number of fifties in women’s ODI.

What do you think will be the next achievement of our fierce leader and the great warrior in the cricket field?