Mithali Raj becomes first female player to complete 2 decades in international cricket

Mithali Raj. File

India captain Mithali Raj on Wednesday became the first female player to last more than 20 years in international cricket.

She achieved the feat while leading India to an emphatic eight-wicket win over South Africa women in the first ODI of the three-match series here on Wednesday.

Mithali, who made her ODI debut against Ireland on June 26, 1999, completed 20 years and 105 days in the 50-over format.

She, thus, became the only female cricketer to have played ODI cricket for over two decades.

The right-handed batswoman has played 204 ODIs till now, the most by a female, followed by England’s Charlotte Edwards (191), Jhulan Goswami (178), Alex Blackwell (144) of Australia.

Mithali, 36, has also played 10 Tests and 89 T20Is for India.

She retired from T20 cricket last month.