Indian captain Mithali Raj is just 41 runs away from becoming the first woman cricketer to score 6,000 runs in ODIs, a feat she may accomplish in the upcoming match against South Africa. She is now second only to Charlotte Edwards in the women top-scorers in ODI list, and her average is way ahead of Edwards'.
Mithali Raj has played 181 ODIs, scoring 5,959 runs at an average of 51.81. She has so far scored five centuries, her highest being 114 not out. She has also taken eight wickets with her part-time leg-break bowling, with 3-for-4 being her best numbers.
Mithali Raj has played only 10 Tests, having made her debut in 2002. She has the highest individual score in Tests. She has scored 663 runs at an average of 51.00, her best being 214 not out. She has also played 63 T20 Internationals, scoring 1,708 runs at an average of 37.95 with a highest of 73 not out.
Mithali Raj has often been called the “Sachin Tendulkar of Indian women’s cricket” having made her ODI debut at the age of 16. Her unbeaten 114 in that match against Ireland paved way for an Indian victory.
However, comparisons with male cricketers may not go down well with Mithali Raj. While speaking to Cricinfo just before departing for the ICC Women's World Cup, she was asked about her favourite male cricketer. "Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?” she responded. “I have always been asked who's your favourite cricketer, but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is.”
