India’s ODI captain Mithali Raj on Saturday surpassed her former Australian counterpart Belinda Clarke to break the record for the most number of matches she has captained in the ICC Women’s World Cup.
The 39-year-old Mithali has led the country in 24 World Cup games, with 14 wins, 8 losses and one no result. Clarke captained the team in 23 matches.
The Indian captain achieved the feat when he stepped down to lead the country against West Indies in a crucial match at the ongoing showpiece event here.
Interestingly, Mithali and Clarke are the only two cricketers to have led their country in more than two World Cups.
Last Sunday, Mithali joined the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistani great Javed Miandad to become only the third cricketer and the first woman to participate in six World Cups.
Meanwhile, India have opted to bat first in their third match of the marquee event. Elaborating on her decision, Mithali said, “It’s the same strip we played on the second day, it could have been slower in the second half and that’s why we decided to bat.
“We are looking forward to having a total that we can defend. We need to improve as a batting unit and it is a new beginning today. We know the wicket is the same as in our previous match and it is on the slower side.”
India, who finished as runners-up in 2017 when they lost to England in the summit clash, began their campaign with an impressive victory over Pakistan before losing to New Zealand.
playing XI
India Women: Yastika Bhatia, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
West Indies Women: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kishia Knight, Stephanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbell (wk), Chadion Nation, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Allen, Shamilia Connell, Anissa Mohammed, Shakira Selman
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