New Delhi | December 3, 2025: Former India women’s cricket captain and the world’s highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs, Mithali Raj, celebrates her 43rd birthday today. Born in Jodhpur, Mithali is hailed as the Queen of Indian Cricket, with a record book as decorated as that of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Interestingly, both cricketing legends share a remarkable and lesser-known connection that will amaze fans — a connection linked to their international debuts.
A Debut-Age Coincidence That Will Shock You
Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut in the Karachi Test against Pakistan in 1989. He was 16 years and 205 days old at the time.
Exactly 10 years later, Mithali Raj made her international debut in 1999 against Ireland at Milton Keynes. On that historic day, Mithali’s age was also 16 years and 205 days — precisely the same as Sachin’s debut age.
This extraordinary coincidence binds the two icons in cricket history.
Mithali Scored a Century on Debut
While Sachin announced his arrival with a gritty fifty in his second Test, Mithali Raj went a step further by smashing a century on her ODI debut, becoming the youngest woman to score an ODI hundred at the time. Her record stood for nearly two decades before being broken by Ireland’s Amy Hunter, who scored a century at 16.
Sachin’s record, however, remains untouched to this day.
Youngest to Hit a Double Century in Women’s Tests
In 2002, Mithali etched her name in history by scoring 214 runs against England in Taunton — making her the youngest woman to score a double century in Test cricket, at just 19 years and 254 days. This record stands firm even today.
She also holds the record for the longest Women’s Test career (19 years, 262 days), though the limited number of Test matches means she featured in only 12 Tests, scoring 699 runs.
Highest Run-Scorer in Women’s ODIs
Playing from 1999 to 2022, Mithali amassed:
- 7805 ODI runs
- Average: 50.68
- Matches: 232
- Centuries: 7
- Fifties: 64
- Highest Score: 125*
In T20Is, she scored 2364 runs in 89 matches.
Her international career spanned 22 years and 274 days, making it one of the longest in the history of world cricket.
Other Major Records Held by Mithali Raj
- Most matches as ODI captain (155).
- Highest score (214) by any No. 4 batter in Women’s Tests.
- Joint record for most catches (3) in an innings in Women’s Tests.
- Only player to score seven consecutive ODI fifties, a record unmatched in women’s cricket.
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