Mithali Raj adds another feather to her illustrious career, joins Sachin Tendulkar in elite list

Mithali Raj, captain of India Women’s ODI team added one more feather to her already illustrious career when she walked out for a toss against Pakistan in the  Women’s ODI World Cup 2022 at Mount Maunganui.

The Indian Star become the third cricketer (both men’s and women’s) in the game’s history to appear in six ODI World Cups. The 39-year-old star batsman thus joins an elite club, whose only previous members are Javed Miandad and Sachin Tendulkar.

With this, she has also become the first women’s cricketer to play in six ODI World Cups. Mithali made her debut in 2000 and has since been a regular and integral part of the Indian set-up.

Raj led the Women in blue to the final of the previous edition of the World Cup hosted in the United Kingdom in 2017. She is keen to win the silverware this time and become the first woman captain from India to lift the elusive trophy.

Meanwhile, in their tournament opener against arch-rivals, India defeated Pakistan by 107 runs. Opting to bat after winning the toss, India amassed a total of 244 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 50 overs.

The score looked far fetched at one time when India were struggling at 114/6. However, a late flourish by the all-rounder Sneh Rana (53 of 48 deliveries) aided by Pooja Vastrakar (67 of 59 deliveries) took India a respectable total.

Pakistan batters failed to sustain under pressure and were bowled out for 137, to suffer another crushing defeat.