Mithali Raj | Mithali Raj again enters in top 5 of ICC Womens ODI rankings, age 38

Mithali Raj, the 38-year-old captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, has been playing international cricket for 22 years, but her career is not over yet. A 72-run knock in the first match of the series against England in Bristol re-entered the top five of the latest ICC Women’s ODI rankings for batsmen.

The 38-year-old batsman, who recently completed 22 years in international cricket, stepped into the crease when the team was struggling at 27 for two. India scored 201 for eight, which was not enough against the world champions. England easily won the match by eight wickets.

Mithali, who played a key role in leading India to the last World Cup final (2017), has improved three places to the fifth position for the first time since October 2019. However, no other player from India had a significant advantage in the rankings. All-rounder Pooja Vastrakar finished 97th in the rankings for batsmen and 88th among bowlers.

Youth sensation Shefali Verma, ranked first in the T20 International format, started the rankings at 120th position in ODIs. He scored 15 runs in 14 balls in his debut match. Ranking top-ranked England opener Tammy Beaumont further consolidated her position.

The player, who was adjudged match of the match for his unbeaten 87, scored 26 rating points, taking his total rating points to 791. Natalie Sciver, an unbeaten 74, moved the latest women’s ranking from ninth to eighth.

In the bowlers’ list, Anya Shrubsole has improved three places to eighth, while T20 International rankings-topper left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone has improved four places to 10th. He sent three batsmen to the pavilion including the wickets of Mithali and Harmanpreet Kaur in the match against India. Kate Krauss has improved three places to the 25th position.