Mithali Raj at 19 emerged as one of India's most capable batswomen with a staggering 214 against England in the second and final Test at Taunton. The middle-order bat now has the second highest score in women's Test cricket, having been surpassed by Kiran Baluch who scored 242 against West Indies in March 2004.

Playing for Railways in the domestic competition, Mithali began by playing with stars like Purnima Rau, Anjum Chopra and Anju Jain for Air India. Now, though, she has emerged as one of India's most dependable bats, scoring heavily in both one-dayers and Tests. Her composure when at the crease and ability to score briskly make her a dangerous customer.

Raj has grasped every opportunity she has been presented with - and impressed. Coming to the wicket at times when batting is difficult, Mithali has shown an ability to soldier on without being perturbed. A star in the one-dayers, Mithali was taken ill with a strain of typhoid in the CricInfo Women's World Cup in 2002, seriously hampering India's progress. However, she then led them to their first World Cup final in 2005, in South Africa, where they met Australia who proved just too strong. In August 2006 she led the side to their first-ever Test and series victory in England and wrapped up the year winning the Asia Cup - the second time in 12 months - without dropping a single game.

But that high was followed by a disappointing Quadrangular where India were placed bottom of the table at the end of the tournament despite winning more matches than England, placed third in the table. ICC's bizarre rule-making meant that despite the fact that England lost all their group matches they gained third spot for beating India in a play-off. Raj had an unimpressive run with the bat in the tournament with one fifty from seven games.

In May 2008 she led India to their fourth successive Asia Cup title and reached the 3000-run landmark on the way. India have not dropped a single game in the tournament since it began in 2004.

In addition to her ability with the bat, Raj rolls her arm over bowling leg-spinners and providing variety to any attack.

Cricinfo Staff (May 12, 2008)

• Newcomers' success pleases Raj (May 12, 2008)
  
• India clinch fourth successive Asia Cup (May 11, 2008)
  
• Sri Lanka aim to break final jinx (May 9, 2008)
  
• Raj leads Bangladesh rout (May 2, 2008)
  
• Sri Lanka women upbeat over Asia Cup (Apr 28, 2008)
  

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May 11, 2008 Mithali Raj receives the Women's Asia Cup from Gamini Lokuge, Sri Lanka's sports minister © Cricinfo Ltd

Apr 28, 2008 The four captains for the Asia Cup © Manoj Ridimahaliyadda

Feb 22, 2007 Haidee Tiffen, the New Zealand captain, and Mithali Raj, the Indian captain, at the Residency Towers during the Women's Quadrangular in Chennai © Cricinfo Ltd

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