Taunton: Mithali Raj scored 55 runs in the second ODI against England. This half-century from the Indian captain went in vain as India lost the match by 5 wickets. England chased down the score in less than 48 overs.
But it was Mithali’s 14th 50-plus score in England that exceeds all fifty-plus scores scored by Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and even Virat Kohli in England – all of whom have 13 ODI 50s in England. Huh.
This is a special feat of Mithali Raj. As of now, he has 7229 ODI runs to his name, with an average of 51.26 runs per innings. Raj made his debut against Ireland in 1999. She has been a household name ever since.
Mithali did not take the field due to neck pain and was replaced by vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur. In the first ODI played in Bristol, England won by eight wickets. The third ODI will be played in Worcester on 3 July followed by a series of three T20 Internationals. The only Test played between the two teams ended in a draw.
The legendary cricketer has scored 2364 T20 International runs. “I love to receive congratulatory messages on my career,” Mithali said during a press conference on the eve of the first ODI against England.
Mithali Raj scored 59 runs in 92 balls with the help of seven fours, while opener Shefali Verma contributed 44 runs in 55 balls. But the rest of the team’s performance in the batting department was disappointing and the team could only score 221 runs in 50 overs.
Will Mithali turn for India and in the rest of the matches? Only time will tell.
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