Mithali Raj Becomes First Woman to Complete 20 Years in International Cricket

Former Indian captain Mithali Raj has become the first woman to cricket in having an international career that lasts more than 20 years. She accomplished the feat by stepping on the field during the first ODI of the three-game series between India and South Africa in Reliance Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday. She scored 11 * as India won the match by eight wickets against Proteas. Mithali, who made her ODI debut against Ireland on June 26, 1999, has completed 20 years and 105 days of her career in the format of more than 50 years. She is also the only cricketer who has played ODI cricket for more than two decades. The right-handed hitter holds the record of playing the maximum number of ODI in women’s cricket. He has played 204 ODI so far and is followed by Charlotte Edwards of England (191), Jhulan Goswami (178), Alex Blackwell (144) of Australia. The 36-year-old has represented India in 10 tests and 89 T20I as well. Last month, Mithali retired from T20I cricket in general, the legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for having the longest international race: 22 years and 91 days. It is followed by Sanath Jayasuriya from Sri Lanka (21 years and 184 days), Javed Miandad (20 years and 272 days) from Pakistan, with Mithali in fourth place.