India women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj scripted history as she now holds the record for the most matches as captain in Women's World Cup.
Raj has led India in 28 matches in the Women’s World Cup, securing 16 victories and suffering 11 defeats while one match was abandoned. She has captained India in five editions of the Women’s World Cup in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022. Raj is the only player to have led India in more than one ICC Women’s World Cup, leading them in the summit final clashes in 2005 and 2017.
𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗶 🙌 🙌#TeamIndia Captain @M_Raj03 now holds the record of captaining in most matches - 2⃣4⃣ - in the Women's ODI World Cups. 🔝 👏#CWC22 | #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/qkbcXa2srP
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) March 12, 2022
Raj went past former Australia women’s cricket team captain Belinda Clark, who led Australia in 23 Women’s World Cup matches, winning 21 of those games and suffering just a sole defeat while one of those matches ended in no result. During this time, she helped Australia claim the Women’s World Cup titles in 1997 and 2005.
While Belinda Clark-led Australia defeated New Zealand in the final of 1997 Women’s World Cup, she secured her second World title by beating India in the 2005 edition.
Former England cricketer Susan Goatman is third on the list for most matches as captain in Women's World Cup. Goatman captained England in the 1982 Women’s World Cup and also led Young England at the 1973 World Cup. Overall, Goatman captained 19 matches in the Women’s World Cup, winning eight and losing nine of those matches besides being involved in two ties as well.
England skipper Heather Knight and Australia's 2022 World Cup-winning captain Meg Lanning complete the top five list for most matches as captain in ICC Women's World Cup. While Knight has led England in 18 matches, Lanning has captained in 15 matches.
Former New Zealand skipper Trish McKelvey, ex-Irish captain Mary-Pat Moore, former England cricketer Karen Smithies and Australian great Sharon Tredrea have also led their respective nations in 15 matches in the Women’s World Cup.
Interestingly, among the top 10 captains in the Women’s World Cup, Tredrea has the best win percentage of 96.66, winning 14 of the 15 matches while one match was tied.
Most matches as captain in Women's World Cup
| Player | Span | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Win % |
| Mithali Raj | 2005-2022 | 28 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 59.25 |
| Belinda Clark | 1997-2005 | 23 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 95.45 |
| Susan Goatman | 1973-1982 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 47.36 |
| Heather Knight | 2017-2022 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 72.22 |
| Meg Lanning | 2017-2022 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 86.66 |
| Trish McKelvey | 1978-1982 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Mary-Pat Moore | 1988-1993 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 26.66 |
| Karen Smithies | 1993-1997 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Sharon Tredrea | 1982-1988 | 15 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 96.66 |
| Merissa Aguilleira | 2009-2013 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 42.85 |
Featured photo: ICC
