Veteran cricketer Mithali Raj has achieved a monumental milestone in the world of cricket, setting a record that cements her legacy as one of the sport’s greats. She has become the first Indian woman cricketer and the second international player to surpass 10,000 runs across all formats of the game. This remarkable achievement highlights her consistent performance and dedication to cricket over the years.
Mithali Raj Joins Elite Club
Mithali Raj, the captain of the Indian ODI team, has now etched her name alongside England’s Charlotte Edwards in an exclusive club of cricketers who have scored over 10,000 runs. This landmark is a testament to her longevity and skill in the sport. Her entry into this elite group was marked during the third ODI against South Africa, where she reached the milestone with a boundary.
The Journey to 10,000 Runs
The journey to 10,000 runs has been a long and illustrious one for Mithali Raj. Across different formats, her run accumulation includes a stellar performance in Test matches, ODIs, and T20 Internationals. In her career, she has played 10 Test matches and scored 663 runs with an impressive highest score of 214. Her ODI record is even more remarkable, with 6974 runs in 212 matches. In the T20 format, she has contributed 2364 runs in 89 matches. These figures collectively sum up to 10,001 runs, showcasing her prowess with the bat.
Mithali’s Milestone Match Performance
During the match in which she crossed the 10,000-run mark, Mithali Raj showcased her class once again. However, soon after reaching the milestone with a four off Anne Bosch, she was dismissed on the very next delivery. Mithali scored a composed 36 runs from 50 balls, including five boundaries. Despite her dismissal, the day was significant for her career and for Indian cricket.
A Career Spanning Decades
Mithali Raj’s cricketing journey began in June 1999 when she made her international debut against Ireland in an ODI. Over the years, she has notched up seven centuries and 54 half-centuries in ODIs, a clear indication of her ability to score big and anchor the innings. Although she retired from T20 internationals in September 2019, her record in the shortest format of the game remains impressive, with 17 half-centuries and a top score of 97 not out.
Conclusion
Mithali Raj’s accomplishment of scoring over 10,000 runs is a monumental feat that will inspire countless young cricketers, especially girls, to pursue the sport with passion and dedication. Her name will forever be remembered in the annals of cricket history as one of the most prolific run-scorers and as a trailblazer for women’s cricket in India and around the world.