The one and only who played that cover drive

Happy birthday, the Queen of Indian Cricket.

As a devoted Mithali Raj fan, there’s an overwhelming sense of gratitude and admiration that swells within on this special day.

Mithali isn’t just a cricketer; she’s an embodiment of resilience, determination and grace on and off the field. Her journey has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. From setting records in Tests to becoming the leading run-scorer in ODIs, Mithali has scripted her legacy with the ink of hard work and dedication. What sets her apart is not just her cricketing prowess but the non-fussy, no-nonsense approach she brings to her craft.

It’s impossible not to be inspired by Mithali’s grit. Her every innings is a masterclass, a testament to skill refined over years of relentless pursuit of excellence. But it’s not just about the runs. It’s about the hope and joy she brought to millions of fans every time she stepped onto the field. Meeting Mithali in 2015 as the local manager of Central Zone was a stroke of luck that left an indelible mark on my admiration for her. Her humility, simplicity, and love for books spoke volumes about the person behind the legend. It was a glimpse into the persona that has endeared her to fans beyond the boundaries of the cricket pitch.

On this birthday, my wish for Mithali Raj is for the coming years to be filled with boundless success and unbridled joy. May the same hope and joy she has infused into the hearts of her fans return to her manifold. Her journey has been a beacon for aspiring cricketers and a source of unwavering joy for fans like myself. Mithali, thank you for being a symbol of grace, for the countless moments of joy your batting has given us, and for showing us that true greatness lies not just in talent but in the character, humility, and love for the game.

Here’s to more milestones in your second innings, and a year ahead as magnificent as your cover drive! Happy Birthday! Let’s take a look at 41 of her stats on her 41^st birthday!

Tests

1. Most runs in an innings atPosition 4:214 vs England Women, 2002
2. Only Indian woman to smash a double century in Test cricket
3. Joint most number of double hundreds in Tests:1
4. Youngest player to score a double hundred:19y 254d
5. Joint most catches in an innings: 3 vs SA Women, 2014 (2^ndInnings)
6. Highest partnership for the 7^thwicket in Test cricket:157 with Jhulan Goswami vs ENG W, 2002
7. 2^ndhighest individual score in women’s Test cricket:214
8. Joint 2^ndlongest Test career:19y 262d, exactly the same with Jhulan Goswami
9. 2^ndmost matches played as Indian skipper:8 (2005 – 2021)
10. Joint 3^rd most Test wins:3
11. 3^rdyoungest Test captain: 22y 353d vs ENG W, 2005
12. 4^thmost runs at a single ground: 301 in 3 Innings at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

ODIs

13. Most runs in ODI history:7805 in 211 Innings. Avg 68
14. Most fifties in ODIs: 64
15. Most centuries by an Indian in women’s ODIs:7
16. Most 50+ scores in ODI history:71
17. Most Fifties in Consecutive Innings:7 (Feb – Jun, 2017)
18. Most Capped ODI player: 232
19. Most Consecutive ODIs:109 (Apr 2004 – Feb 2013)
20. Longest ODI Career: 22 years and 274 days
21. Most matches as Captain in Women’s ODIs: 155 (2004 – 2022)
22. Highest Batting Average in Successful Chases:05
23. Only Female Cricketer to play 6 World Cups: 6ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups – 2000, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022.
24. Only Indian Skipper (Men/Women) to lead the team twice in World Cup Final:2005, 2017
25. Most 50+ scores in World Cups:13
26. Most 50s in World Cup:11
27. Most Matches as Captain in World Cups:28
28. Most runs in a calendar year –2003 (497 runs in 12 innings), 2006 (684 runs in 20 inns),
29. 2^ndyoungest player to score an ODI hundred: 16y 205d
30. Joint 2^ndposition in terms of most nineties in a career: 5 along with Stafanie Taylor. Ellyse Perry is in the top with 6
31. 2^ndposition in most consecutive innings without a duck: 74 (Nov 2000 – Feb 2007)
32. Joint 2^ndposition in terms of most consecutive matches as ODI captain: 57 (Dec 2004 – Sep 2008) along with Charlotte Edwards.
33. 2^ndplayer to score 5000+ runs and effect 50+ fielding dismissals
34. 2^ndjoint most Player of the Match awards in World Cups: 5
35. 2^nd most runs in World Cups: 1321 in 36 Innings
36. 2^ndmost wins in World Cups: 24
37. 3^RDhighest ODI average (Min. 100+ innings played): 68 (Ellyse Perry 51.54, Meg Lanning 53.51)
38. 3^rdhighest fours in World Cups: 131 in 36 Innings

T20Is

39. Joint 2^ndposition to hit fifties in consecutive T20I innings: Devine is at the top (6 innings back-to-back). Mithali did it 4 consecutive innings (2016-2018). Along with her, NPAN Sakarani and RL Blake are tied.
40. 3^rdfastest batter to cross 2000-run mark in women’s T20Is: 70 innings

Others

41. Mostruns in women’s international cricket: Only player to score more than 10,500 runs, having amassed 10,868 in 333 matches

Stats: Trisha Ghosal and Snehasis Mukherjee.