Mithali Raj achieved a rare World Cup record as India launched their title bid in the Women's World Cup opener against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (March 6). Just by appearing for the opening match against Pakistan at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, Mithali became the first women cricketer to feature in record six Women's World Cup tournaments. The veteran cricketer also equalled the record previously held by Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.
She made her maiden World Cup appearance in 2000, before playing in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and now in 2022. She surpassed former New Zealand cricketer Debbie Hockley and Charlotte Edwards of England. Meanwhile, Jhulan Goswami, her teammate, stands second on the list with five World Cup tournament appearance.
Mithali is also only the third cricketer – male or female – to participate in six ICC World Cups and she has ensured the record enters a new decade as former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad appeared in the first six Men's Cricket World Cups between 1975 and 1996 and Sachin Tendulkar played six beginning with the 1992 World Cup.
However, the 39-year-old could manage just nine runs in 36 deliveries as she was caught by Pakistan Diana Baig off Nashra Sandhu's bowling as India posted a competitive total of 244/7.
After losing opener Shafali Verma for a duck, India picked themselves up immensely well with Smriti Mandhana (52 off 75) and Deepti Sharma (40 off 57) shouldering the responsibility with a brilliant 92-run stand for the second. However, Mandhana departed soon after completing a brilliant fifty while Deepti also lost her wicket which balanced it out to bring Pakistan back into the game. Bismah Maroof-led side continued to make regular inroads as Nida Dar rocked the Indian batting order with two wickets of Harmanpreet Kaur (5 off 14) and Richa Ghosh (1 off 5) in quick succession while Nashra Sandhu bagged the big scalp of skipper Mithali Raj who departed of 9 off 36.
Later, Sneh Rana bolstered the Indian innings with a smashing 53 off 48. She found an able partner in Pooja Savarkar who belted 67 off 59 which was loaded with 8 boundaries as they together guided India to a respectable total of 244/7.
India will be aiming to put on a good show against arch-rivals Pakistan and get their campaign off to a winning start. The Indian women's cricket team will hope its bowlers find top form to complement a solid batting unit's efforts. Runners-up in the 2017 and 2005 editions, India are eager to go one step ahead and claim the title that has eluded them, especially skipper Mithali Raj and veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami, who are playing their last World Cup.
