ICC Women's World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj Breaks Captaincy Record For Most Matches In World Cup

India women’s team skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday broke the record to lead a team in most matches as captain in ICC Women’s World Cup.

Mithali, who is playing in her sixth World Cup, surpassed former Australia skipper Belinda Clark’s tally of leading the team in most matches in the marquee event.

Mithali Raj becomes the player with most matches as captain in World Cup

As Mithali stepped on the field at the Seddon Park in Hamilton for the toss with West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor, she led India in her 24th match in the ICC Women’s World Cup since she donned the hat in 2005.

In the second match against New Zealand at the same venue, Mithali had completed 150 ODI matches as India women’s team skipper. She also holds the record of leading a team in most ODI matches, former England captain Charlotte Edwards sit second on the list having captained her national team in 117 ODI matches.

We need to improve as a batting unit: Mithali Raj

India opted to bat first as splendorous hundreds by Smriti Mandhana (123) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109) powered them to a commendable score of 317/8 in the first innings.

“We will have a bat, it’s the same strip we played the other day, it could slow down in the second half and that’s why we chose to bat. We are looking forward to put total that we can defend.

“We need to improve as a batting unit and it’s a fresh start today. We know the wicket is the same from our last game and it’s on the slower side,” Mithali said during the toss. 

Mithali, who has played 12 Tests, 227 ODI matches and 89 T20 Internationals, will hang up her boots from international cricket at the end of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022. She announced retirement from the shortest format in July 2020 but continued to lead the side in ODIs and Tests.

India started their campaign with a 107-run victory against Pakistan but lost to hosts New Zealand in their second match by 62 runs.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj Should Bat At No.3 – Veda Krishnamurthy