Everything you need to know about the India Women's team playing the WWC 2017

India is a country where cricket is treated like a religion alongside Bollywood, but it’s the men who hold the upper hand when it comes to attracting crowds to the stadium. The likes of Jhulan Goswami, Mithali Raj or Harmanpreet Kaur aren’t the massive stars; the status they certainly deserve, but that doesn’t take anything away.

Mithali Raj, the Indian skipper is on the brink of overtaking English legend Charlotte Edwards as the highest run-scorer in the history of Women’s ODI cricket whereas Jhulan Goswami is already the highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket among Women. Harmanpreet became the first ever Indian to represent a team in the Women’s Big Bash League, followed by the young dashing opener Smriti Mandhana.

All their incredible achievements often go unnoticed and barely anyone knows that India have won 19 of their previous 20 matches in ODIs and are currently lining up to grab the World Cup for the first time in their history. As they run along on their quest to make it to the finals, let’s take a look at some unknown facts and figures about the current Indian female players.

1. Mithali Raj

In a stellar career which completed 18 years on 26 June 2017, Mithali Raj‘s credentials can never be matched in Indian cricket. Born in a Tamil-speaking family in Rajasthan, her family later shifted to Hyderabad and she started training at the St Johns Cricket Academy. She received Arjuna Award in 2003 and Padma Shri in 2015. To put what all she achieved, in a nutshell, is next to impossible as she, is one of a kind.

Mithali is on the verge of becoming the leading run-scorer in Women’s ODIs with 5959 runs in the format.

2. Jhulan Goswami

One of the fastest bowlers in Women’s cricket history, Jhulan Goswami hails from Nadia district of West Bengal. Coming from a small town named Chakdaha, Jhulan found her inspiration in Aussie legend Belinda Clarke. Apart from being the leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket, she received Arjuna Award in 2010 and Padma Shri in 2012.

She has picked up 185 wickets in 153 WODIs to go with 40 scalps in 10 Tests for India.

3. Harmanpreet Kaur

Born in a Punjabi family in Moja, Harmanpreet Kaur follows the Virender Sehwag style of batting, “See ball, hit ball”. The 28-year-old all-rounder is currently one of the best in the business and she was the first Indian woman cricketer to represent in Big Bash League when she played for Sydney Thunder. She initially represented Punjab in the Ranji Trophy but from the 2013/14, she has been representing Railways.

In 69 WODIs, she has piled up 1,666 runs to go with 1228 runs 68 T20I matches.

4. Punam Raut

Born on 14 October 1989, Punam Raut hails from Mumbai and has represented India in 43 ODIs and 35 Tests as of now. On 15 May 2017, in a WODI versus Ireland, Sharma set a world record opening partnership of 320 runs with Deepti Sharma, contributing 188. Punam has a great future ahead of her and if she keeps going this way, she will end up as one of the modern-day greats.

Punam has scored 1,116 runs in 43 ODIs and 719 runs in 35 T20I games. She is yet to make her debut in the longest format.

5. Deepti Sharma

Punam Raut’s partner in crime in that world record partnership, Deepti Sharma was born on 24 October 1997. The 19-year-old all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh bats left-handed and bowls slow right-arm. The offie is going to play a crucial role in Indian cricket in the time to come and being just 19, there’s a lot on offer for Indian cricket from her side.

In 20 WODIs for her country, Deepti has amassed 737 runs at an astonishing average of 52.64 and has played 5 T20 games as well.

6. Smriti Mandhana

The name hogging all the limelight currently, Smriti Mandhana was born in Mumbai on 19 July 1996, but she later shifted to Sangli. At the age of nine, she was selected in the Maharashtra’s Under-15 team and at eleven, she was picked for the Maharashtra Under-19s team. Her brother Sravan was the one who inspired her to play cricket and she adores Kumar Sangakkara a lot.

Smriti is off to a blazing start in her career, having amassed 897 runs in 25 WODIs to go with 424 runs 27 T20 matches.

7. Ekta Bisht

The left-arm orthodox spinner Ekta Bisht was born on 8 February 1986 in Almora, Uttarakhand. Unlike many of the players mentioned above, it took a lot of time for Bisht to break into the Indian contingent. She currently has formed a formidable spin bowling unit with Deepti and Poonam Yadav.

In 16 WODIs for India, she has grabbed 26 wickets and that number is bound to increase in the coming future.

8. Mona Meshram 

The all-rounder from Nagpur, Mona Meshram was born on 30 September 1991. After receiving the M.A. Chidambaram Award for being the best Junior lady cricketer of the 2010-11 season, it took her some time to find a place for herself at the elite level. But now, she is an important player in the Indian side and offers a lot with both bat and ball.

In 18 WODIs, Mona has managed to score 316 runs to go with 79 runs in 8 T20 games.

9. Poonam Yadav

Th 25-year-old wrist spinner from Agra, Poonam is currently one of the most important members of the Indian side. She made her debut in 2013, but inconsistency saw her go in and out of the squad regularly. She’s formed a formidable spin trio at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 with Deepti Sharma and Ekta Bisht.

Poonam has 25 wickets after her name in 18 One-Day International games and 34 scalps in 23 T20Is.

10. Rajeshwari Gayakwad

The left-arm spinner from Karnataka, Rajeshwari was born on 1 June 1991. She made her debut back in 2014 against Sri Lanka and by now, has played 27 WODIs and 1 Test match for India.  She plays domestic cricket for Karnataka and the South Zone.

Rajeshwari has picked up an impressive 47 wickets in just 27 WODIs to go with 15 wickets in 13 T20I contests.

11. Thirush Kamini  

One of the few experienced candidates in the side, Thirush Kamini was born on 30 June 1990 in Chennai. She received coaching from her father and at a tender age of 8 and represented the Tamil Nadu Under-16 side. She made her national team debut at the age of 16 and currently a contracted BCCI Grade A Player. She also completed her masters degree from Mop Vaishnava women’s college.

In 39 WODIs, she managed to pile up 825 runs with the best score of 113 and also has 9 wickets after her name.

12. Veda Krishnamurthy 

Born on 16 October 1992 in Chikmaglur district, Karnataka, Veda Krishnamurthy is a top order batswoman who bowls part time leg-breaks as well. After making her debut in 2011 against Australia in a T20 match, she went on to grab a B-Grade contract from the BCCI in 2015.

Veda has 525 runs in her tally in 34 WODIs and 470 runs in 37 T20 matches.

13. Mansi Joshi

Mansi Joshi was born in a small village named Brahmakhal in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand on 18 August 1993. After playing domestic cricket for Haryana, she recently made her debut for India against Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers. She didn’t get a chance as yet in the World Cup and will have to wait for some more time to breakthrough.

Her career has just embarked and she has 5 wickets after her name in the 6 WODIs she has played for the country.

14. Sushma Verma 

First ever female cricketer from the beautiful lands of Himachal Pradesh, Sushma was born on 5 November 1992. The wicketkeeper batswoman is often appreciated for raising the standards of female cricketers from Himachal. Under her captaincy, the Himachal team were the runners-up at the Under-19 All-India women’s tournament in 2011.

She barely got any chances to prove her mettle with the bat and has just 46 runs in her 23 WODIs.

15. Nuzhat Parween 

Born on 21 May 1996, Nuzhat Parween is the stand-in wicketkeeper in the current Indian squad. She made her ODI debut against Ireland in the quadrangular series in South Africa. Hailing from Singrauli, she plays her domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh.

In the one sole game she played for India, she didn’t get an opportunity to bat, but she is one of the most promising talents in the current side.