Mithali Raj achieves another milestone in illustrious career

Indian Women’s ODI captain Mithali Raj has created history by becoming the first female cricketer to have a career spanning over two decades. She completed 20 years as an active ODI cricketer in the first match against the South Africa Women’s Team, where she was leading the side.

Mithali becomes the fourth cricketer overall, following the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya and Javed Miandad to have an ODI career lasting over 20 years. Mithali made her ODI debut against Ireland on June 26, 1999, in Milton Keynes.

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Mithali’s career spans 20 years and 105 days, a feat which will be incredibly difficult to break. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has the record of the longest career in ODI history, spanning 22 years and 91 days. He is followed by Sanath Jayasuriya (21 years and 184 days) and Javed Miandad (20 years and 272  days).

The 36-year old has played 204 ODIs in her illustrious career, scoring 6731 runs at an average of 51.38 with 7 centuries. She already holds the record for most ODIs played by an international women’s cricketer. She has also played 10 Test matches and 89 T20Is for India.

In the ODI against South Africa at Vadodara, India sealed a thumping victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. A brilliant effort by the bowlers first restricted South Africa to a total of 164 all-out. Priya Punia and Jemimah Rodrigues then hit composed half-centuries as the Indian women chased the score down in only 41.4 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Mithali was unbeaten at the crease on 11.