This Day That Year: Mithali Raj made her ODI debut
The veteran Indian player Mithali Raj made her One-day
international debut for India on 26th June 1999 against Ireland at
Milton Keynes.
In that match, Ireland captain Grealey won the toss and
decided to field first. Mithali Raj was so impressive in her debut match remaining
not out on 114. She and Reshma Gandhi put on 258 unbeaten runs for the opening
wicket.
The target was too steep for Ireland as they only scored 97
for 9 in 50 overs. Mithali Raj impressed with her stroke play and made an
impression. Since then Mithali Raj has been the backbone of the Indian team.
She has played a total of 209 ODI matches (189 innings) and
scored so far 6888 runs which include 7 centuries and 53 half-centuries. Her
best score so far has been 125*.
Mithali Raj is currently the leading run-getter in women’s
ODI with 6888 runs from 209 matches (189 innings). She has created a major
impact on her batting style. Coming at number 3, Raj plays according to the
situation and remains calm which makes one of the best batters in women’s ODIs.
She has played with the likes of Jhulan Goswami, Anjum
Chopra and other Indian legends of the game. In the 2005 World Cup played in
New Zealand, the Indian team reached the finals for the first time. It was a
disappointing performance as Raj could not deliver.
Under the captaincy of Mithali Raj, the Indian team reached
beyond expectations as they made it into the finals of the ICC Women’s World
Cup 2017 played in England and Wales. It was an amazing performance by Women in
Blue as they defeated England, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka in
the league stages. Their only loss came against South Africa.
Thanks to a sensational knock by Harmanpreet Kaur, the
Indian team stunned Australia to qualify for the finals. In the finals too,
India performed brilliantly to restrict England for a modest total. The lack of
experience handling pressure moments which created panic as Women in Blue lost
their last 7 wickets for 28 runs. The Indian eves lost the match by just 9
runs.
Mithali Raj had a dream tournament in the 2017 Women’s World
Cup as a batter. She was the 2nd leading run-scorer with 409 runs
from 9 matches (9 innings) with 1 century and 3 half-centuries. Her best in the
tournament was 109. The Indian team performance in this mega event was appreciated
all over the world.
The Indian Women’s Cricket would be hoping to give Mithali
Raj a fitting farewell by winning the Women’s World Cup 2021. It has been a remarkable
journey for the veteran.
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| This Day That Year Mithali Raj made her ODI debut on 26th June 1999 |
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