Mithali Raj

A splendid 114 not out was quite a telling statement made by a 16-year-old ODI debutant overlooked for the country's World Cup about a year ago. For over a decade and a half since then, Mithali Raj has become a name synonymous with the sport in the country.

Born in Jodhpur to a Tamil family, Raj grew up in Hyderabad learning the basics alongside her brother, having made the tough choice of giving up on her passion - dance. Admittedly forced into the game by a strict disciplinarian father, Raj's many sacrifices bore fruit when at 19, playing just her third Test, she surpassed Karen Rolton's 209* with her 214 to set the new record of best individual score (now second-highest) in the longest format. Her 18-year career (and counting) has been a roller coaster of a ride but, fortunately for her, the runs never dried up.