India's Greatest Female Cricketers of All Time

We look at the most impressive females in the field...

While Indian sport has become synonymous with male cricketing talent, the nation boasts a phenomenal selection of female cricketers. Women's cricket has enjoyed increased attention and exposure over the last two decades, partly due to the wonderful females on the field. Here at betting.bet, we shine the spotlight on the female sporting legends waving the flag for women in the "Gentlemen's Game."

1. Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj is one of the country's most celebrated female cricket players. Oftern referred to as "Captain Cool" of women's cricket, Raj has been contributing to the sport from the tender age of 16 years old when making her international debut. Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Raj has enjoyed a long and lustrous sporting career, having contributed to world-class performances and triumphs such as the 2005 World Cup and the semifinals in 2017.

Her batting technique is world-renowned, and she is one of the only female cricketers to exceed 7,000 runs in a Women's One Day International (WODI) match. She was the first-ever player to score seven consecutive 50s in ODIs and still maintains the record for most half-centuries in WODIs.

These remarkable performances on the field have led to Raj becoming one of the most acclaimed female cricketers of all time, seeing her become the recipient of various awards and accolades.  These include the Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2017, the Arjuna Award in 2003, the Padma Shri in 2015, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021.

2. Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana is an iconic figure in female cricket who has captured the intrigue and imagination of cricket fans not only in India but across the globe.

Her accomplishments and records are significant, with the left-handed batter recently becoming one of the youngest Indian women to complete 7000 International Runs, beaten only by Mithali Raj.

This was accomplished in the first ODI match of the series in Bangalore. This outstanding milestone puts Mandhana as one of the greatest female players of all time.

As well as reaching 7000, this was also her 6th international hundred.

In addition to representing India on a national level, Mandhana plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Women's Premier League (WPL). This is in addition to her domestic cricket games, where she represents the Maharashtra cricket team.

3. Neetu David

Nettu David is another name that is prominent in the cricket history books. She was born in 1975, in Varanasi (then Benares).

Neetu David made her debut for the Indian women's cricket team in 1995. She quickly became known as one of the sport's most formidable bowlers of all time. She famously played as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and was known for putting opposing batswomen in real danger.

David was chosen to represent India in Test matches and 97 One Day Internationals during the course of her career. She set the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match, taking eight wickets for 53 runs against England in 1995.

David Retired in 2006. However, she returned to the sport in 2008 to play in India's Asia Cup squad.

While she has now stopped playing, David still plays a prominent role in Indian cricket and assumes the role of chairperson of India's women's national selection panel.

4. Anjum Chopra

Anjum Chopra is a female sportsperson born in New Delhi in 1977. Chopra stepped on the cricket ground at the very young age of 9. She was born to a family that had deep roots in the world of sports. Her grandfather, Ved Prakash Sahni, also represented India and later went on to be a prominent cricket commentator.

It is globally accepted that Chopra was the first Indian female cricketer to gain global recognition. This was partly down to her sophisticated left-handed batting style and right arm, medium-fast bowling technique.

5. Shikha Pandey

Shikha Pandey is not only a great cricketer, but a fascinating woman. As well as making her name as a leading female cricketer, she was also a former officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF). She has also been a huge advocate for the promotion of female cricket.

As a sportswoman, she was a right-arm medium pacer and middle-order batter, with her sporting talent having been utilised in several clubs as well as the national team. Her capability to swing the ball both ways and pick up wickets like nobody's business has earned her a place among India's top bowlers, irrespective of gender.

She famously delivered the bowl of the century against Australia in 2021: