Mithali Raj made her ODI debut in the year 1999. She has broken many records through her 22 years long ODI career. Raj is just behind Sachin Tendulkar in terms of longevity. She has played 210 ODI’s scoring 6938 runs at a splendid average of 50.6. For someone with experience of over 20 years to have such an average is outstanding. Not only that, she has scored 54 fifties and 7 centuries in the process.
A glimpse about Mithali Raj and Kaur’s career:
Raj is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket and the only female cricketer to score over 6000 ODI runs. She holds the record for scoring 7 consecutive ODI fifties. Raj also holds the record for scoring most half-centuries in this format. She was the first Indian player (male or female) to score 2000 T20I runs.
Harmanpreet Kaur made her ODI debut in 2009. She has been an active international cricketer for the past 12 years. Kaur has served the Indian cricket team with distinction. She has played more than 100 games in both ODI’s and T20I’s. Kaur became the first Indian woman to score a T20I century. She was the first Indian player (male or female) to play 100 T20I matches.
Record-breaking women:
Raj is the only women player to captain India in the 2 ODI World Cup finals (2005 and 2017). She was the first woman cricketer to play 200 ODI games. In 2019, she became the first women player to complete 20 years in international cricket. Raj won Arjuna Award in 2003 and Padma Shri in 2015. She was conferred with Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2017.
Harmanpreet Kaur made headlines when he single-handedly demolished Australia in the World Cup semi-finals in 2017. Her knock of 171* was termed as one of the greatest innings ever played by anyone in a World Cup knockout match. She holds the record for scoring the highest runs (171) in a World Cup knockout game. Her innings inspired millions of young girls to take up the sport.
Lifestyle choices of these women superstars:
Mithali Raj is one of the richest women cricketers in the world. Her net worth is estimated to be around a stupendous INR 37 crores. Raj earns a handsome INR 20-30 lakhs for her brand endorsement deals. She has been a tremendous source of inspiration for girls. Her success and quest for excellence prove that cricket isn’t just a men’s game.
Harmanpreet Kaur features in the top bracket of annually contracted women players. Her annual contract is a whopping INR 50 lakhs. Kaur charges around INR 40-50 lakhs to endorse a brand. She has been the face of brands like B-Natural juices, CEAT tyres, and Royal Challenge. Kaur has proved that gender doesn’t matter if you have the skill to succeed.
