 "India's Mithali Raj in action during the ICC Women's World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Derby recently. Mithali scripted history on Wednesday by becoming the all-time leading run-getter in women's ODIs. PTI Photo")
On June 26, 1999 Indian cricket got one of its brighest stars in the form of Mithali Raj. The right-handed batswoman, just 16 years of age, played in the Indian colours for the very first time. And what a debut it was.
Playing against Ireland in an ODI game at Milton Keynes, Mithali opened the batting alongside other debutant Reshma Gandhi. Both scored brilliant hundreds as India scored 258/0 with Mithali contributing with 114* and Reshma scoring 104*.
The Women in Blue won the match comfortably as Ireland could manage just 97/9 in their full quota of 50 overs and lost the game by 161 runs.
#OnThisDay in 1999: A start of something special!@M_Raj03 made a sensational start to her international career, scoring an ODI ton on debut against Ireland at Milton Keynes.— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 26, 2020
21 years later, the juggernaut continues to roll on. pic.twitter.com/OsAMBgCDTf
In fact, last year in October, she became the first woman cricketer to have an international career lasting more than 20 years.
The right-handed batter also holds the record for playing the maximum number of ODIs in women's cricket.
The 37-year-old has already retired from T20 cricket and now aspires to win India their maiden World Cup in the 2021 event scheduled to be played in New Zealand.
