Cricket, the heartbeat of India, has long been dominated by men on the field. But hidden behind the roar of the crowds and the frenzy of the game, there exists a league of the best women’s cricket player in India who have carved their niche in the cricket world. India boasts a talented team of women cricketers who have left an indelible mark on the sport. From the days of humble beginnings to gracing international stadiums with their prowess, these women have shattered stereotypes and redefined the narrative of women’s cricket in the country.
List of 12 best women Cricket players in India and their Runs in ODI
| Name | Birthday | Career Span | Matches | Runs |
| Jhulan Goswami | 25th NOV,1982 | 2002-2022 | 204 | 1228 |
| Mithali Raj | Dec 3, 1982 | 1999-2022 | 232 | 7805 |
| Purnima Rau | 30th Jan1967 | 1993-2001 | 33 | 516 |
| Neetu David | 18th August,1975 | 1995-2008 | 97 | 74 |
| Shuvangi Kulkarni | 1st Feb,1960 | 1978-1986 | 27 | 347 |
| Veda Krishnamurthy | 16th Oct 1992 | 2011-2018 | 48 | 829 |
| Sikha Pandey | 12th May,1989 | 2014-2021 | 55 | 512 |
| Punam Raut | 14th Oct,1989 | 1993-2000 | 33 | 516 |
| Anju Jain | 11th August,1974 | 1993-2005 | 65 | 1729 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 18th July,1996 | 2013-2024 | 82 | 3242 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 8th March,1989 | 2009-2024 | 130 | 3410 |
| Anjum Chopra | 20th May,1977 | 1995-2012 | 127 | 2856 |
1. Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan Goswami is a famous name in Indian women’s cricket. She is known for being a tall and strong fast bowler. Born on November 25, 1982, in Nadia, West Bengal, Jhulan started playing cricket in 2002 and quickly became one of India’s best fast bowlers.
What makes Jhulan special is her ability to bowl fast and make the ball bounce high. This makes it really tough for the other team’s batters to hit her. She’s taken the most wickets for India in both one-day and T20 matches. Because of her great skills, she’s won lots of awards, like the Padma Shri.
In 2007, Jhulan played a big role in helping India get to the final of the Women’s World Cup. Even though they didn’t win, her performance was amazing. She’s inspired many young fast bowlers in India to follow in her footsteps.
2. Mithali Raj
Mithali Raj, known as the “Captain Cool” Indian women’s cricket, is one of the greatest Indian women’s cricket players. Mithali was born on December 3, 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. She started playing for India when she was just 16 years old and became famous for her amazing batting skills.
She has contributed incredibly to Indian cricket. Mithali has scored more runs in women’s one-day international matches than anyone else, with over 6,000 runs in her career. People admire her because she’s so good at staying calm and focused during big games.
Mithali has led the Indian women’s team to some big moments. They made it to the final of the World Cup in 2005 and the semi-finals in 2017. Her hard work and leadership have inspired lots of young cricketers in India to follow in her footsteps.
3. Purnima Rau
Purnima Basu, previously known as Purnima Rau, was a famous Indian cricketer who helped women’s cricket. She was born on 30 January 1967in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Purnima was a left-handed batter who sometimes bowled off-spin.
She played for India from 1993 to 2001 and was really good at keeping the Indian batting lineup steady. In 1997, she helped India reach the final of the Women’s World Cup, where they came in second place.
Even after she stopped playing, Purnima stayed connected to cricket. She became a coach and selector, helping the Indian women’s team get better. Her coaching time with the team saw a lot of progress and improvement.
4. Neetu David
Neetu David, a talented left-arm spinner, was born on August 18, 1975, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. She started playing for the Indian women’s cricket team in 1995 and became one of the best bowlers in India.
Neetu David was known for her amazing ability to spin the ball sharply, making it really hard for batters to hit. She even set a record for the best bowling figures in a Test match, taking 8 wickets for just 53 runs against England in 1995.
But her contributions to Indian cricket didn’t stop there. Neetu David also worked as the head of the women’s selection committee. Her keen eye for talent helped find and nurture young players, making sure the future of Indian cricket was bright.
5. Shubhangi Kulkarni
Shubhangi Kulkarni, a former Indian cricketer, was born on February 1, 1960, in Pune, Maharashtra. She was a big name in Indian women’s cricket during the 1980s and 1990s. Shubhangi was a left-handed batter and a skilled wicketkeeper.
One of her most memorable achievements was leading the Indian women’s cricket team to victory in the first-ever Women’s World Cup in 1978. Her leadership and batting skills played a huge part in India winning that tournament.
Even after she stopped playing, Shubhangi Kulkarni stayed connected to cricket. She worked as the secretary of the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI), where she played a vital role in growing women’s cricket across the country.
6. Veda Krishnamurthy
Veda Krishnamurthy, a talented middle-order batter, was born on October 16, 1992, in Chikmagalur, Karnataka. She made a big splash in international cricket in 2011, showing her knack for winning games with her aggressive batting.
In limited-overs cricket, Veda has been a game-changer for India, especially in the middle overs. Her ability to speed up the scoring rate has been super important. One of her standout moments was during the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, where she played a blistering innings, scoring a quick 45 runs, helping India secure a spot in the final.
But Veda isn’t just about batting; she’s a force to be reckoned with in the field, too. Her athleticism shines through with stunning catches and quick run-outs. Her all-around skills make her a precious asset to the Indian cricket team.
7. Shikha Pandey
Shikha Pandey, a talented fast-medium bowler, has been a key player in the Indian women’s cricket team. Born on May 12, 1989, in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, Shikha started playing for India in 2014. She’s well-known for her ability to swing the ball both ways and for consistently taking important wickets.
One of Shikha’s best performances was during the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where she was India’s top wicket-taker. Her fantastic four-wicket haul against South Africa in a crucial match proved her ability to shine when the pressure’s on.
Off the field, Shikha Pandey is respected for her deep understanding of the game and her efforts to boost women’s cricket. She’s been a vocal supporter of its growth in India, stressing the need for grassroots programs and more attention to the sport.
8. Punam Raut
Punam Raut, a technically proficient top-order batter who prefers opening the innings, rose to prominence in 2017, eight years after her international debut. Born on October 14, 1989, she is known for her involvement in a historic opening partnership of 320 runs with Deepti Sharma. This remarkable stand not only set records in women’s cricket but also surpassed some records from the men’s game. Since her introduction to international cricket, Punam has displayed consistent performances, cementing her position as a reliable player for the Indian team.
9. Anju Jain
This determined wicketkeeper and batter is a sure pick to play for India for many years to come. Anju plays for Air India, one of India’s top teams, and opens the batting. She likes to play with a straight bat and prefers hitting the ball between mid-off and mid-wicket. Anju is fearless in going for big shots, often hitting the ball hard.
As a wicketkeeper, Anju is always dependable. She might not show off, but she’s great at anticipating where the ball will go and moves quickly to catch it.
Anju Jain did well in the Rani Jhansi Trophy, which led to her being chosen as captain for the CricInfo Women’s World Cup 2000. Even though India made it to the semi-finals, they lost to hosts New Zealand. Anju was happy with how the team performed overall, even though she could have done better, averaging less than 16 runs in eight matches.
10. Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana, often called the “Princess of Indian Cricket,” was born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She’s known as one of the most thrilling and skilled young cricketers globally. Smriti started playing for India in 2013 and quickly became a household name in Indian cricket.
Her batting style is a mix of grace and strength, making her a formidable player in both ODIs and T20Is. With her stylish shots, Smriti can dominate any opposition, earning her several records along the way.
In 2018, Smriti made history by becoming the first Indian woman to score a T20I century, achieving this against England. Her outstanding performances in leagues like the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) have solidified her reputation as one of the world’s best women cricketers.
11. Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur, being the best women’s cricket player in India, was born on March 8, 1989, in Moga, Punjab. She’s famous for her explosive batting and useful off-spin bowling. Harmanpreet started playing internationally in 2009 and quickly became one of the most influential players in women’s cricket.
Her shining moment came during the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, where she played an unforgettable innings of 171 not out. Harmanpreet’s fearless style and ability to score fast, especially in tough situations, have won her many fans.
As the captain of India’s T20I team, Harmanpreet has led with excellence, guiding the team to many wins. Her leadership and aggressive approach to the game have inspired a whole new generation of players.
12. Anjum Chopra
Anjum Chopra is a true pioneer in Indian women’s cricket, blazing trails and leaving a lasting impact on the sport. Born on May 20, 1977, in New Delhi, she stepped onto the international stage in 1995, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
Known for her graceful left-handed batting, Anjum was a sight to behold on the cricket field. She was a consistent performer for India, being a contributor of success during the early 2000s. Anjum etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to score a Test century and was instrumental in India’s journey to the final of the 2005 Women’s World Cup.
Beyond her playing days, Anjum Chopra has continued to contribute to the growth of women’s cricket as a respected commentator and analyst. Her insights into the game have provided valuable perspective and inspiration, further fueling the sport’s advancement.
Rise of Women in Indian Cricket
For a long time, men’s cricket has been getting most of the attention in terms of fans, TV viewers, and advertising money. But recently, women’s cricket has become really popular, breaking stereotypes and getting fans from all over the world excited.
From the first cricket match in 1745 to now, when stadiums are full of fans cheering for the Women’s Cricket World Cup, the game has changed a lot. Big tournaments and leagues, like the Women’s Premier League (WPL), are getting much attention and making people really interested in women’s cricket.
Indian women’s cricket has improved significantly over the last ten years. In 2017, they reached the finals of the 50-over World Cup in England and the T20 World Cup finals in Australia in 2020.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who leads the Indian women’s cricket team in all formats—ODI, T20I, and test cricket—deserves much credit for bringing so much attention to the team. In the 2017 World Cup, she played a fantastic innings, scoring 171 not out in the semi-final against Australia.
The success of Indian women’s cricket didn’t happen overnight. It’s thanks to the hard work of many legends like Shantha Rangaswamy, Diana Edulji, Jhulan Goswami, Mithali Raj, and Anjum Chopra. They paved the way for players like Kaur to shine on the world stage.
Despite facing many challenges since the establishment of the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) in 1973, the Indian women’s cricket team has come a long way. They played their first ODI in the 1978 World Cup, the same year WCAI got recognized internationally.
Recently, the BCCI launched the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023, similar to the hugely successful IPL for men. The league provides a great platform for women cricketers to showcase their skills and gain more fans and endorsements. Mithali Raj, a former captain of India and mentor for one of the WPL teams, believes that this league will inspire more girls in India to keep playing cricket.
Initially, the BCCI was hesitant to introduce a women’s T20 match, citing a lack of interest from sponsors and broadcasters. However, after seeing a growing demand for women’s T20 cricket, they finally took action and created the WPL.
Conclusion
The rise of women’s cricket in India has brought forth many talented players who have contributed to its growth and popularity. While it may be challenging to single out the best player, it’s undeniable that each player has made invaluable contributions to the team’s success. From their exceptional skills on the field to their dedication and perseverance off the field, Indian women cricketers have inspired generations and shattered stereotypes. As the sport continues to evolve and gain momentum, we can only anticipate more remarkable performances and achievements from these incredible athletes, solidifying their place as legends of the game.
Also Read: Top 10 reasons why women’s cricket is not popular in India
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