Who is the Queen of Cricket?

In the world of cricket, both men and women have etched their names into the sporting history. Yet, when the title "Queen of Cricket" is mentioned, one name consistently rises above all others, and that is Mithali Raj. She is known for her exceptional skill, longevity, and leadership. Mithali Raj is widely celebrated as the Queen of Cricket. She is recognised by millions of cricket fans for her record-breaking career and for elevating women's cricket to new global heights with her game at the bigger stage.

Why is Mithali Raj Known as the Queen of Cricket?

Mithali Raj's journey is a testament to resilience, grace, and unmatched cricketing prowess. She debuted for India at the age of 16 and went on to become the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket. She is recognised as the Queen of Cricket, which is due to her exceptional display of the game of cricket.

People often call her the “Lady Tendulkar”, not just because of her technique, but because she carried the team on her shoulders, just like Sachin Tendulkar did, which earned him the title of “God of Cricket”. She was the first woman to cross 7,000 ODI runs, the first to play 200 ODIs, and the only Indian captain (man or woman) to lead India to two ODI World Cup finals. She has always been the key player of the team, where she led the team quite well. Apart from her stats and performance, she had been a very calm and composed personality on the field.

Mithali Raj Performance in T20I, ODI, and Tests

The performance of Mithali Raj in international cricket could not be judged based on the runs she scored, but should be based on which situation she comes to play and score big. She has been a run machine in all three formats of the game for India Women. In WTests, she played 12 matches in his career, scoring 699 odd runs at an average of 43.68 with an average of 43.68, smashing 1 century and 4 half-centuries.

In WODIs, she has been a rock for the team, where she played 232 matches, scoring 7,805 runs at an average of 50.68, which includes 7 centuries and 64 half-centuries, with the highest score of 125 not out. She has been a stalwart of the WODI cricket, which could be seen in her game. In 89 WT20Is, she scored 2,364 with an impressive average of 37.52, including 17 half-centuries and the highest score of 97 not out. The former skipper had left a message with her game for the coming generations.

• Test Cricket: Mithali scored a then-record 214 in just her third Test, showcasing her ability to play long, patient innings.
• ODI Cricket: She holds the record for most runs and most 50-plus scores in women’s ODIs. Her average of over 50 in ODIs is a testament to her consistency at the highest level.
• T20I Cricket: Mithali was the first Indian woman to reach 2,000 runs in T20Is and remains one of the most reliable batters in the shortest format for India.

The achievements of the Queen of Cricket include the Arjuna Award (2003), Padma Shri (2015), Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021), and the Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2017). This could be the answer to why she is one of the best women cricketers in the world.

Who is the Modern Queen of Cricket in World?

While Mithali Raj’s legacy is unparalleled, the modern era has seen the rise of new icons. Among them, Smriti Mandhana stands out as the modern Queen of Cricket in the World, and the Queen of Indian Cricket, captivating fans with her elegant stroke play and match-winning performances. The vice-captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team has evolved as the match-winner for the team, where she has created and broken several records in women's cricket, like she recently joined the top list of the most centuries in women's cricket.

Why Smriti Mandhana is Known as Queen of Cricket?

Smriti Mandhana’s rise as the Queen of Indian Cricket has been exceptional. She is celebrated for her flair, aggression, and ability to dominate bowling attacks across formats. Smriti Mandhana is the first Indian woman to score a century in all three formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is), a rare feat that places her among the elite. Her performances have been crucial in India’s rise as a powerhouse in women’s cricket.

Mandhana has won multiple ICC Awards for her fiery performances, including the Cricketer of the Year and ODI Cricketer of the Year. She has also been named in the ICC Women’s Team of the Year several times and is currently ranked among the top batters in the world across formats.

Smriti Mandhana Performance in T20I, ODI, and Tests

Smriti Mandhana is one of those women cricketers whose batting is elegant and is quite enjoyed by the viewers. She is known for her timing and excellent placement of the ball. She has been the frontline opener for the Indian Women's cricket team for years in all three formats of the game. In WTests, which are scheduled less for women's cricket as compared to men's cricket, she has played 7 matches, scoring 629 runs with an average of 57.18, including 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries, with the highest score of 149.

In 117 WODIs, she has scored 5,322 runs with an average of 48.38, including 14 centuries and 34 half-centuries, and the highest score of 136. She even played a crucial role with the bat for Team India, winning the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. In 154 WT20Is, she has scored 4,007 with an average of 29.90 and a strike rate of 123.78. She scored 31 half-centuries and 1 century with the highest score of 112.

• Test Cricket: Mandhana became the first Indian woman to score a century in both Tests and ODIs in Australia, underlining her adaptability and temperament.
• ODI Cricket: She is the fastest Indian woman to 4,000 ODI runs and the first to score 10 ODI centuries, a remarkable achievement at her age.
• T20I Cricket: Mandhana holds the record for the most half-centuries in women’s T20Is and recently became the first Indian woman to score a T20I century, completing the set of centuries in all formats. She became the first Indian woman player to score 4,000 T20I runs.

Her aggressive batting at the top of the order has set the tone for India’s successes in recent years, and her leadership as vice-captain has been instrumental in nurturing young talent. She has played well in some of the best women's cricket leagues in the world.

How We Analyze the Queen of Cricket - Major Facts

To find out who is the Queen of Cricket, we have used a combination of factors that go beyond mere statistics:

• Consistency: Both Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana have demonstrated remarkable consistency, scoring heavily across formats and in different conditions.
• Records and Milestones: Mithali’s 10,000+ international runs and Mandhana’s centuries in all formats are benchmarks for excellence.
• Leadership: Mithali’s captaincy in two World Cup finals and Mandhana’s role as vice-captain during the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 highlight their influence and leadership skills.
• Impact on Big Matches: Both players have delivered in high-pressure situations, with match-winning performances in World Cups and major tournaments.
• Longevity and Adaptability: Mithali’s two-decade-long career and Mandhana’s rapid adaptation to all formats underscore their greatness.