Indian cricketer Mithali Raj became the first woman cricketer in history to play One-Day International cricket over a period of 20 years. The Indian captain achieved the unique feat during the first ODI against South Africa women in Vadodara on Wednesday.
India women won the first of the three-match ODI series in Vadodara by eight wickets. South Africa set India a modest target of 165, which the hosts successfully chased with 50 ball remaining. Mithali remained not out at 11.
Mithali, who made her international debut against Ireland on June 26, 1999, completed 20 years and 105 days of her career in the 50-over format when she played the first ODI against South Africa.
Mithali is also leading the list of players with the most number of matches played (203).
Even in terms of the number of matches played, Mithali leads the list with 203 caps to her name, ahead of Charlotte Edwards (191) of England, Jhulan Goswami (177) of India, Alex Blackwell (144) of Australia and Jenny Gunn (144) of England.
Sachin Tendulkar tops the list of men cricketers when it comes to the longest ODI career, with 22 years and 91 days, followed by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya (21 years and 184 days), and Pakistan's Javed Miandad (20 years and 272 days). Mithali is fourth in the overall list.
The 36-year-old cricketer has scored a total of 6,720 runs in 183 innings, making her the leading woman run-scorer in the 50-over format. She scored her first century as a 16-year-old, a record yet to be beaten in women's ODI cricket.
Mithali announced her retirement from T20 cricket last month.
