Mithali Raj becomes the first woman cricketer to feature in six World Cups; equals Sachin Tendulkar’s record

Mithali Raj becomes the first woman cricketer to feature in six World Cups; equals Sachin Tendulkar’s record

In joining Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistani great Javed Miandad as the only women to appear in six World Cups, India captain Mithali Raj became only the third player to accomplish that feat. It is only the second time an Indian cricketer has played in six ODI World Cups after Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin Tendulkar played for India in ODI World Cups in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, which marked the second time India had won the world cup in 28 years. During the Men’s ODI World Cups of 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992 and 1996, Javed Miandad represented Pakistan six times.

The 39-year-old Mithali Raj made her debut at the World Cup in 2000 and later returned to compete in the competition in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and now in 2022. She achieved the feat as India locked horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in their much-anticipated opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup at the Bay Oval here.

A batter from India beat former New Zealand cricketer Debbie Hockley and England’s Charlotte Edwards in the women’s game. Second on the list is fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, who has played five World Cups alongside Mithali Raj. Apart from Raj, Tendulkar is the only Indian Men’s cricketer to have played in all six World Cups, from the 1992 tournament to the 2011 triumph.

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Smriti Mandhana becomes the fourth women from India to achieve 2500 ODI runs milestone

Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana

Cricketer Smriti Mandhana completed her 2500th ODI run during Sunday’s Women in Blue match against arch-rivals Pakistan at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022. With her 2500-run haul in the 50-over format, the prolific 25-year-old batter has only become the fourth woman in Indian history to surpass that milestone after Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra and Harmanpreet Kaur.

Smriti Mandhana began her World Cup campaign in impressive fashion by making a half-century against Bismah Maroof’s women. Her form will be crucial throughout the tournament for India’s top order.

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