Match: India vs Ireland (Women’s ODI)

Date: 26 June 1999

Venue: Milton Keynes, England

Runs Scored: 114 (Not Out)*

Balls Faced: 147

Strike Rate: 77.55

Fours: 11

Result: India won by 161 runs

 Youngest ODI Centurion: At just 16 years and 205 days, Mithali Raj became the youngest female cricketer to score a century on debut in women’s ODIs.
 Solid Opening Partnership: She, along with *Reshma Gandhi (104)**, built an unbeaten 258-run opening stand, which remained the highest opening partnership in Women’s ODIs for nearly two decades.
 Winning Start: Her century helped India post 258/0 in 50 overs, and Ireland was restricted to 97 all out, securing a massive victory.
 Start of a Legendary Career: This innings marked the beginning of one of the greatest careers in women’s cricket history, as Mithali Raj went on to become India’s highest run-scorer across formats.

This debut century set the tone for Mithali’s illustrious 22-year career, making her a legend in the game.