ICC Women's World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj Becomes Oldest Indian Player To Score Fifty In World Cup

India women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj on Sunday etched her name into the record books once again in her remarkable international career. Raj, who is into her swansong in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022, became the oldest Indian player to notch up a fifty in the marquee event.

Mithali scored 68 off 84 balls against South Africa at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch as India posted a competitive score of 274/7 in the first innings. The Indian stalwart hit eight boundaries during her incredible innings batting at a strike rate of 80.95.

Mithali Raj became the oldest Indian player to score fifty in World Cup

At the age of 39 years and 114 days, Raj, who is playing in her sixth World Cup event, became the oldest Indian player to score a fifty-plus score in World Cup matches.

Earlier in the day, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana (71) and Shafali Verma (53) laid the foundation through their magnificent stand of 91 runs before the latter was run out. Mandhana later forged an 80-run stand with Mithali until she holed out to Chloe Tyron off Masabata Klaas’ bowling.

Mithali anchored the innings for the most part of the innings, she was dismissed in the 43rd over by Klaas. Mithali is also the youngest Indian player to score a fifty in the World Cup.

That was a misunderstanding: Shafali Verma on her run out

Indian prodigious batter Shafali Verma scored 53 off 46 balls, the youngster said her dismissal was led because of a misunderstanding with her partner Smriti Mandhana.

“I am very happy because I always think about what the team wants to do. I timed well, very happy. I know they are fast, I was just thinking to time the ball. What I thought, I went out there and did, so very happy for that,” Verma told the official broadcaster. 

“(On her dismissal) That was a misunderstanding, I can’t say it’s my mistake, I just walked through because I didn’t want her to get out. Misunderstandings happen in cricket many times. This is a very good score, I hope our bowlers will do a great job today,” she added. 

India is in a must-win situation against South Africa in order to qualify for the semi-final stage in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Innings Against Australia A Warning Sign For Other Team