Mithali Raj First Indian To Score 2000 T20I Runs

Indian women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj has added a new feather to her cap. On Thursday (April 8), the 35-year-old right-handed batswoman became the first Indian cricketer to score 2000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals (T20I).

Raj even beat Virat Kohli in the race and achieved the feat after scoring a single off Oshadi Ranasinghe en route to her knock of 23 during India's Women's T20 Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur

Mithali has now scored 2015 runs in 75 T20Is with the help of 14 half-centuries. She has a decent average of 38.01 with a highest score of 76 not out.

Acknowledging Mitahli's milestone, The ICC congratulated her on Twitter:

Congratulations to @M_Raj03 on reaching 2,000 T20I runs - the first player to reach the landmark for @BCCIWomen ? #INDvSL #WAC2018 pic.twitter.com/dWmslbT5CG

— ICC (@ICC) June 7, 2018

BCCI also congratulated Raj on her achievement:

Congratulations to @M_Raj03. She becomes the first Indian woman to score 2000 runs in T20 Internationals. #INDvSL #ACC #WAC2018 pic.twitter.com/9Cl3buCGeF

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 7, 2018

Mithali now stands tall as she became the seventh woman to reach 2,000-runs, joining the likes of lead Charlotte Edwards (2,605), followed by Stafanie Taylor (2,582) and Suzie Bates (2,515)

Most interestingly, India men's team captain Virat Kohli (1,983) is yet to achieve the feat. He is the next Indian on the list, followed by Rohit Sharma (1,852) and Suresh Raina (1,499).

https://www.facebook.com/SheThePeoplePage/videos/1712725615425310/

The batswoman led the Indian team for the first match of the ICC Women’s Championship ODI series in Nagpur and achieved another milestone. Raj is a powerful sporting icon from India who made their presence felt in the 2017 Women’s World Cup in England.

READ: Kaur In Arjuna Award Race; But No Khel Ratna For Mithali Raj?

Raj has been the backbone of Indian women’s cricket since her debut in June 1999. She led the team to two World Cup finals and her batting performance has been India’s best till date. Raj also holds the records of highest run-getter in women’s ODIs. Arguably, she has put Indian women’s cricket on the centrestage. Incidentally, with her 192nd appearance, Raj also registered 50 ODI matches against England.

READ: Mithali Raj To Write Her Memoir

More power to you, Captain!

Also Read: Need Women’s Indian Premier League: Mithali Raj

Read More Stories By Ria Das