Record-setting Raj top of the women’s charts

En route her 49th ODI half-century, she also became the first batswoman to reach the individual milestone of 6000 runs.

She passed Edwards’ mark of 5,992 runs in 164 innings – 16 fewer than Edwards played before she retired from global cricket past year.

Mithali broke the record of England’s Charlotte Edwards who scored 5992 runs in 191 matches at an average of 38.16 including nine centuries and 46 half-centuries. “We have the highest scorer in Tests, ODI and now women’s ODIs”, said Gavaskar, who jokingly pointed out that there was magic in Hyderabad’s paani (water). Though India have stumbled after a bright start to their Women’s World Cup campaign, the team has the ability to bounce back.

With the win, Australia sealed its place in the semi-finals, while India was left with a must-win clash against New Zealand on Saturday.

She said: “Lanning has all the shots, and the form she is in at the moment surely will only take her another four or five years to break that record”.

Choosing to bowl first, Australia restricted India to just 226 on the board despite a century from Punam Raut. However, under her leadership, the hosts crashed out of the tournament in the group phase. She was also the architect of the Women in Blue’s first-ever Test series triumph in 2006. People questioned me a lot about it in press conferences, but it wasn’t my intent or objective of playing this World Cup.

“She is a quality player”.

India’s second fifty came off 69 balls, the third off 51, and the fourth off 48. She also has an elder brother- Mithun Raj. “Even before the World Cup started, we said that we were going to do our best and not have to depend on other teams”, she added. The coach of the academy – Jyothi Prasad – noted her potential and from the maidans of Secunderabad emerged India’s greatest female batter.