cricket

Updated: Feb 01, 2019 12:09 IST

India captain Mithali Raj on Friday became the first female cricketer to play 200 ODIs, adding another achievement to her illustrious career.

The 36-year-old is also the highest run-getter in ODIs with 6622 runs at an average of 51.33, including seven hundreds.

Mithali could not make a big impact in her 200th game, scoring nine off 28 balls as India were bowled out for 149 in the third and final ODI against New Zealand .

She had hit an unbeaten 63 in the second ODI, helping India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Mithali made her ODI debut way back in 1999 and has featured in 200 games out of the 263 ODIs India have played. She has also played 10 Tests and 85 T20s.

Speaking after the series-clinching win on Tuesday, Mithali had said that they are targeting a clean sweep and there won’t be any let up in the team’s intensity after the win in the second women’s ODI against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui.

“We definitely want to make it 3-0. At the same time, we will try and give some of the youngsters an opportunity,” said Mithali.

“Initially, a lot of people asked me if the spinners can turn the match around on these wickets. The spinners have been doing well from word go and Smriti (Mandhana) has been amongst runs and so has been Jemimah (Rodrigues).”

The fact that star batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur is yet to get a hit in the middle sums up India’s rampaging run.

“Batting has not been tested. In a way it is a good thing because whoever is getting the opportunity is making the most of it,” Mithali had said.

On T20 skipper Harmanpreet not getting to bat yet, Mithali had said: “As and when the batters get the opportunity, we play according to the situation. Yes any batter would like to get in there and score runs.

“It gives a lot of confidence getting into the next game but both the games were on the low scoring side and whoever has got opportunity has got runs.” Mandhana starred in both the games, scoring 105 and an unbeaten 90.

Mithali scored an unbeaten 63 off 111 balls as India chased down 162 in 35.2 overs. Asked about her role in the batting department, Mithali added: “As long as I am getting runs, I would be more than happy to play the supporting role or whatever the team’s demands are.”

The bowlers -- both pacers and spinners -- too have done their job. Veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami struck thrice in the second ODI while the spinners shared six wickets amongst themselves. The spin trio of Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav and Deepti Sharma had picked up eight wickets in the series opener.