Mithali Raj becomes second women’s cricketer to reach 10, 000 international runs

Legendary Indian women’s cricketer Mithali Raj achieved a major milestone on Friday as she became the second women’s cricketer to complete 10, 000 international runs. In the third ODI between India Women and South Africa Women being played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, the veteran Indian women’s cricketer achieved the feat. Prior to Mithali, it was England women’s cricketer Charlotte Edwards who had achieved the feat. Mithali achieved the feat in what was her 212th ODI match.

Mithali achieved the feat with a boundary against Anne Bosch in the 28th over of India's innings. "What a champion cricketer! First Indian woman batter to score 10K international runs. Take a bow, @M_Raj03," the BCCI tweeted. Unfortunately, immediately after reaching the milestone, Mithali was dismissed off the next ball.

Mithali has also represented India in 10 Tests and 89 T20Is where she has scored 663 and 2364 runs respectively. Including her knock against South Africa Women in the 3rd ODI, Mithali has now scored 6974 runs in ODIs.

Ahead of the 3rd ODI, Indian opener Mandhana lauded Raj for her consistency and said achieving the milestone is a huge feat for any cricketer.

"Getting to 10,000 runs first or second is a huge thing. She is the first Indian to do that so I think it is something that shows how consistent she has been throughout her career. We have looked up to her, definitely a very proud feeling for all of us in the team."

In context of the match, India got off to a poor start as Shabnim Ismail removed opening batswoman Jemimah Rodrigues(0) in the first over of the innings. Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut then brought the innings back on track with a 64-run stand for the second wicket. After Mandhana's dismissal in the 12th over, Raut and Mithali added 77 runs for the third wicket. The partnership was broken by Bosch who dismissed Mithali for 36.