Indian skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday breached the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women’s World Cup. Electing to bat first against West Indies, Mithali achieved the feat in the third match of the tournament at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Leading India in 24 World Cup games, clinching 14 trophies and 8 losses and one no result, the 39-year-old skipper surpassed former Australian counterpart Belinda Clark who has led her team in 23 matches. Interestingly, Mithali and Clark are the only two cricketers to have led their country at more than two World Cups.
Last Sunday, Mithali became only the third cricketer and the first woman to appear in six World Cups, joining the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistani great Javed Miandad.
India defeated Pakistan in their tournament opener but crashed to a heavy defeat vs New Zealand in their next game, losing by 62 runs.
New Zealand posted 260 for nine in 50 overs to set a target of 261 runs for India. Amy Satterthwaite top-scored for her side with a knock of 75 runs off 84 balls. Meanwhile, Amelia Kerr hammered 50 runs off 64 deliveries.