Team India captain Mithali Raj scripted another record in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup as she overtook Australia's Belinda Clark for most appearances as captain in the tournament. Indian team played their third match of the World Cup on March 12 (Saturday) against West Indies.
Mithali's record
Previously, the Indian skipper became the first women’s cricketer and third overall to feature in six World Cup events.
It is important to mention that former Australia skipper Clark had led her team in 101 ODI matches. In World Cup she led the Australia team in 23 matches. Clarke had taken part in three World Cup events- 1997, 2000 and 2005. The former Australia skipper had won 21 out of the 23 matches and had to face just one defeat in World Cups. Most importantly she won the World Cup twice for Australia.
On the other hand, Indian skipper Mithali has led team India on 24 occasions and out of the previous 23 matches she has won 14 matches at a win percentage of 63.63.
Performance in 2022 WC
Previously, Indian team under the leadership of Mithali started their World Cup with a crucial victory against arch-rivals Pakistan. Batting first, Indian team had registered a total of 244 runs losing 7 wickets. In reply, Pakistan team could only reach a paltry total of 137 runs losing all their 10 wickets.
But in the second match of the tournament, Indian team had to suffer a defeat against hosts New Zealand. Batting first, New Zealand scored a solid total of 260 runs losing 9 wickets. In reply, the Mithali Raj-led side were bundled out within a total of 198 runs in 46.4 overs.
In the third match of the tournament, Indian team took on West Indies. Winning the toss, Mithali had decided to bat first. Their opening batter, Yastika Bhatia scored a quick-fire 31 runs off 21 balls. Though, skipper Mithali failed to do much as she had to go back to the dressing room scoring 5 runs. But opening batter Smriti Mandhana (123 runs off 119 balls) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109 runs off 107 deliveries) exhibited amazing batting skills to reach a mammoth total of 317 runs losing 8 wickets.
In reply, West Indies could reach a total of only 162 runs. Indian bowler Sneh Rana picked up three wickets to help her side in clinching a comfortable 155-run victory.
Top-5 captains with the most appearances at the Women's World Cups:
Mithali Raj (INDIA): 24*
Belinda Clark (AUSTRALIA) - 23
Susan Goatman (ENGLAND) - 19
Trish McKelvy (NEW ZEALAND) - 15
Mary-Pat Moore (IRELAND) - 15
