Mithali Raj: The record breaker
She finishes her career having set and broken plenty of records, both as batter and captain. We look at some of the most eye-catching records the Indian legend holds.
Top run-getter in women's internationals
In July 2021, Mithali Raj became the leading run-getter in women's internationals, going past England's Charlotte Edwards (10,273 runs). Edwards and Raj remain the only two women cricketers to have breached the 10k run-mark.
Leading ODI run-scorer in women's cricket
At 7805 runs in 232 matches, Raj is the highest run-scorer in women's ODIs. The next best, Edwards, is nearly 1813 runs behind. Raj is the only player in the top seven with an average of over 50.
Her tally of 2364 runs in women's T20Is is the highest for India.
(Second) Youngest Centurion
She scored a century on ODI debut in 1999. At 16 years and 205 days, she became the youngest centurion in women's internationals. The record was only broken 22 years later in 2021, when Ireland's Amy Hunter achieved that feat on her 16th birthday.
Most matches
Raj is one of only two players to have played more than 200 ODIs (the other being longtime teammate Jhulan Goswami). Raj has played the most ODIs – 232.
Most fifties and over
Raj has 71 fifty-plus scores in ODIs and 17 fifty-plus scores in T20Is. Her combined tally of 88 fifty-plus scores is the most by any player in women's international cricket.
Most runs in a series by captain
In the 2014-17 ICC Women's Championship, Raj scored 535 runs in 17 matches, the most by an India captain in an ODI series.
Best in Test
She is the only Indian woman to score a double century in Tests. Her score of 214 (v England in 2002) is the second-highest individual score in women's Tests.
Longest career
Having debuted at the age of 16 in 1999, Raj has also had the longest international career in women's cricket. It spanned for over 23 years.
Most wins as captain
Raj has 89 wins out of 155 as captain – the most by any player in women's ODIs. Her 155 matches as captain is also the highest in women's ODIs.
Most Cricket World Cup matches captained
She went past Belinda Clark's record of most matches captained in ICC Women's Cricket World Cups during the 2022 edition – she skippered in 28 matches.
Asia Cup record
Raj has led India to four consecutive Asia Cup titles – 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008, when they beat Sri Lanka in the finals each time, and in 2012, when they defeated Pakistan.
Conquering England
Raj made history in 2014 when she led India to their first Test series victory against England. The feat was achieved in England, and Raj guided the team home with an unbeaten 50 in the second innings.