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These are just a few of the many great Indian women's cricket captains. Each of these women has made a significant contribution to the sport, and they continue to inspire future generations of female cricketers in India and around the world.
| Captain Name | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|
| Mithali Raj | Led India to the final of the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup |
| Anjum Chopra | Led India to victory in the Asia Cup in 2004; First Indian woman cricketer to score a century in international T20 cricket |
| Jhulan Goswami | Took over 200 wickets in both ODIs and T20Is; Named the ICC Women's Player of the Year in 2007 |
| Diana Edulji | Led India to victory in the 1982 Women's Cricket World Cup |
| Shantha Rangaswamy | Played a key role in the development of women's cricket in India; Inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2021 |
1. Mithali Raj: Mithali Raj is a highly regarded former captain and top-order batter for the Indian women's cricket team. She is widely considered to be one of the greatest Indian women cricketers of all time, having made significant contributions to the sport both as a player and a leader.
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Raj has been a part of the Indian women's cricket team for more than two decades, having made her international debut in 1999 at the age of 16. Over the course of her career, she has amassed more than 10,000 runs in international cricket, including seven centuries and 54 half-centuries across ODIs and T20Is.
As a captain, Raj has been known for her tactical acumen and leadership skills. She has led the Indian women's cricket team on and off over the years, and she has been instrumental in the team's success in several major tournaments. Under her leadership, India reached the final of the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup, where they finished as runners-up after losing to England in a closely contested final.
In addition to her achievements on the field, Raj has also been a trailblazer for women's cricket in India. She has been a vocal advocate for the growth and development of the sport, and she has inspired a generation of female cricketers in India and around the world. Her dedication and contributions to the game have earned her widespread respect and admiration among her peers and fans alike.
2. Anjum Chopra: Anjum Chopra is a former captain of the Indian women's cricket team, who is widely regarded as one of the best batters to have played for India. Chopra made her international debut in 1995 and represented India in 127 ODIs and 12 T20Is.
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Chopra was appointed as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team in 2002, and she held the position until 2005. During her tenure as captain, Chopra played a pivotal role in shaping the team's performance and guiding it toward success in several tournaments.
One of the major highlights of Chopra's captaincy was India's victory in the 2004 Asia Cup. It was India's first major international tournament win in women's cricket, and it came under Chopra's leadership. The team defeated Sri Lanka in the final, with Chopra contributing with a vital half-century in the match.
Chopra also holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman cricketer to score a century in international T20 cricket. She achieved this feat in a T20I match against England in 2006, where she scored an unbeaten 76-ball 100, which included 9 fours and 3 sixes.
Overall, Chopra was a consistent performer for the Indian women's cricket team throughout her career. She scored 2856 runs in ODIs at an average of 31.04, including 18 half-centuries and a highest score of 76*. In T20Is, she scored 241 runs at an average of 24.10, including one century and a highest score of 100*.
Chopra's contributions to Indian women's cricket have been immense, both as a player and a leader. Her achievements have paved the way for future generations of female cricketers in India, and she remains an important figure in the history of Indian women's cricket.
3. Jhulan Goswami: Jhulan Goswami is a former captain of the Indian women's cricket team and is regarded as one of the most successful fast bowlers in the history of women's cricket. She is known for her consistent performances, pace, and accuracy with the ball, as well as her leadership skills.
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Goswami made her international debut in 2002 and played a crucial role in the development of Indian women's cricket in the years that followed. She has taken over 200 wickets in both ODIs and T20Is, and she is currently the leading wicket-taker in the history of women's ODI cricket, with 225 wickets to her name. She has also taken 56 wickets in T20Is, which makes her the third-highest wicket-taker in the format.
In addition to her impressive performances on the field, Goswami has also been recognized for her achievements by the cricketing community. In 2007, she was named the ICC Women's Player of the Year, becoming the first Indian player to receive the award. She was also named the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year in 2018.
Goswami has also served as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team on several occasions, leading the team in both ODIs and T20Is. As a captain, she has been known for her ability to motivate and inspire her teammates and to make tactical decisions that have led to India's success on the field.
Overall, Goswami is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of women's cricket. Her contributions to Indian women's cricket have been immense, both as a player and a leader, and she continues to be an inspiration for aspiring female cricketers in India and around the world.
4. Diana Edulji: Diana Edulji is a former Indian women's cricket team captain who is considered one of the pioneers of women's cricket in India. Edulji's cricketing career spanned over 16 years, from 1976 to 1992, during which she made a significant contribution to the development of women's cricket in India.
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Edulji was appointed as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team in 1978 and held the position for 15 years until 1993. During her tenure as captain, Edulji played a crucial role in shaping the team's performance and guiding it towards success in several tournaments.
One of the major highlights of Edulji's career as a captain was India's victory in the 1982 Women's Cricket World Cup. It was India's first major international tournament win in women's cricket, and it came under Edulji's leadership. The team defeated England in the final, with Edulji contributing with a crucial spell of 3 for 21 in the match.
In addition to her cricketing achievements, Edulji also represented India in field hockey at the international level. She played for the Indian women's hockey team for six years, from 1973 to 1979, and was a member of the team that won the bronze medal at the 1978 Asian Games.
After retiring from cricket, Edulji has remained associated with the sport in various roles. She has served as a coach and selector for the Indian women's cricket team and was also a member of the Justice Lodha Committee that recommended reforms for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Overall, Edulji's contributions to Indian women's cricket have been immense, both as a player and a leader. She remains an important figure in the history of Indian women's cricket and continues to inspire future generations of female cricketers in India.
5. Shantha Rangaswamy: Shantha Rangaswamy is a former Indian women's cricket team captain who played a significant role in the development of women's cricket in India. She made her international debut in 1976 and went on to represent India in 16 Test matches and 19 One Day Internationals (ODIs).
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Rangaswamy was appointed as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team in 1979 and held the position for several years. During her tenure as captain, she played a crucial role in shaping the team's performance and leading it towards success in several tournaments. She was also known for her skills as an all-rounder, as she was a reliable middle-order batsman and an effective off-spin bowler.
Apart from her achievements on the field, Rangaswamy has also contributed to the development of women's cricket in India in various roles off the field. She has been associated with the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI) and served as the coach and manager of the Indian women's cricket team. She has also been actively involved in promoting women's cricket in India through coaching and mentoring young players.
In recognition of her contributions to women's cricket, Rangaswamy was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame in 2021. She became the first woman cricketer from India to receive this honor. Rangaswamy is also a member of the BCCI Apex Council, where she continues to work towards the development of women's cricket in India.
Overall, Rangaswamy's contributions to Indian women's cricket have been immense, both as a player and as an administrator. She continues to be an inspiration for aspiring female cricketers in India and around the world.
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