Chak De Mithali! – Another Milestone for Indian Cricketer as She Tops T20 International Runs Chart

Mithali continues to top the list of India’s highest T20I run-getters (including men and women), overtaking Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, too.

Mithali Dorai Raj, the former Indian Women’s Cricket team captain, has been for long the sole and lone flag bearer of Women’s cricket journey in India. Of course, ace cricketers like Jhulan Goswami and young lot Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and others are a crucial part too, but Mithali for sure has come a long, long way.

This stalwart of the Indian women’s cricket team has many records in her kitty – almost in all forms of the sport.

Adding to those accolades is another record that was created during yesterday’s match against Ireland at ICC Women’s World T20 tournament, where India won the match by 52 runs.

What is her Record or rather, Records?

With her brilliant and consistent performances, Mithali has surpassed New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, the highest T20 run-scorer amongst men cricketers.

Notably, Mithali is still the fourth-highest T20I scorer in the world, behind Suzie Bates (2961), Stafanie Taylor (2691) and Charlotte Edwards (2605).

Mithali struck an amazing inning of 51 runs in the match against Ireland, which led India to an entry in the semifinals of the ICC Women’s World T20.

The Indian cricketer has also surpassed Bates, Alyssa Healy and Pakistan’s Babar Azam to have the most 50-plus scores in a calendar year, combining both men’s and women’s cricketers.

Not only this, but Mithali also surpassed Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scoring Indian in T20Is.

With 2283 runs in the T20I career, Mithali has surpassed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have scored 2207 and 2102 international T20 runs, respectively.

And what else, this dashing cricketer has 17 T20 half-centuries on her name.

Mithali with her nonchalant yet a very positive attitude on & off the field has been very consistent with her performances. In her captaincy, the Indian women’s cricket team reached the finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2017. India lost her match against England but won hearts nation and worldwide.

Often lauded as the ‘Tendulkar of the Women’s Cricket’, Mithali has many other records to her name, which includes:

• She is the first captain to lead India to ICC World Cup final in 2005 and 2017.
• She is the recipient of the Padma Shri Award in 2015.

• She is also the recipient of the Arjuna award in 2003.
• She is the highest run-scorer in women ODI’s with more than 6550 runs.

• She is India’s most successful opener in T20Is with a total of 1,356 runs in 43 matches.

Mithali has been a guiding light for the women’s cricket in India. With her perseverance and persistence, this woman cricketer has created her solid identity in the sport over the years.

Though called as Lady Sachin, Mithali firmly believes that she’ll like to set her own example in the cricket and let the world know her as Mithali Raj of Cricket.

“I wouldn’t say I am tired of being the Lady Sachin, but I would like to be known as the Mithali Raj of women’s cricket. I think as a cricketer, I am sure anyone would love that compliment because everyone looks up to him because of what he has achieved and nobody yet has gotten close to it. When I started to play cricket I never wanted to be known as the Lady Sachin. I didn’t want to ape him. I wanted to create my own identity in sport. And I would like people to know me as Mithali Raj”, she said speaking at We the Women Asia, curated by journalist Barkha Dutt.

Mithali – The Daring Ex-captain of India

Born in Jodhpur in 1982, Mithali Raj started playing cricket when she was just 10 years old. At 17, she made it to the Indian team and, in 1999; she played her first ODI against Ireland at Milton Keynes, scoring 114 runs.

When Mithali was 19 years old, she broke Karen Rolton’s record of highest individual test score, on August 14, 2002.

Since then, Mithali has been unstoppable. We wish the lady all the best for her future endeavours and salute her spirit. You Go Girl!