August 16, 2002. It is a day that shall forever be etched in Indian women’s cricket history. Mithali Raj, still in the early days of her career, took on the English bowling in their own backyard and created a world record. She registered what was then the highest Test score in women’s cricket history. Though the record came the next day, 210 out of her 214 runs were scored on that day.
Cricinfo
The match ended in a draw, but at the end of the day it was India that dominated. Mithali finished with 214. For 2 years it would remain the highest Test score before Kiran Baluch of Pakistan made 242 vs West Indies in 2004.
Nonetheless that showed the talent Mithali possessed and she has now built a legacy in the women’s team. The fire is still burning even now, but the first spark was lit 17 years ago.