India women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj scripted history as she now holds the record for the most matches as captain in Women's World Cup.

Raj has led India in 28 matches in the Women’s World Cup, securing 16 victories and suffering 11 defeats while one match was abandoned.  She has captained India in five editions of the Women’s World Cup in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022. Raj is the only player to have led India in more than one ICC Women’s World Cup, leading them in the summit final clashes in 2005 and 2017. 

Raj went past former Australia women’s cricket team captain Belinda Clark, who led Australia in 23 Women’s World Cup matches, winning 21 of those games and suffering just a sole defeat while one of those matches ended in no result. During this time, she helped Australia claim the Women’s World Cup titles in 1997 and 2005. 

While Belinda Clark-led Australia defeated New Zealand in the final of 1997 Women’s World Cup, she secured her second World title by beating India in the 2005 edition.

Former England cricketer Susan Goatman is third on the list for most matches as captain in Women's World Cup. Goatman captained England in the 1982 Women’s World Cup and also led Young England at the 1973 World Cup. Overall, Goatman captained 19 matches in the Women’s World Cup, winning eight and losing nine of those matches besides being involved in two ties as well.

England skipper Heather Knight and Australia's 2022 World Cup-winning captain Meg Lanning complete the top five list for most matches as captain in ICC Women's World Cup. While Knight has led England in 18 matches, Lanning has captained in 15 matches.

Former New Zealand skipper Trish McKelvey, ex-Irish captain Mary-Pat Moore, former England cricketer Karen Smithies and Australian great Sharon Tredrea have also led their respective nations in 15 matches in the Women’s World Cup.

Interestingly, among the top 10 captains in the Women’s World Cup, Tredrea has the best win percentage of 96.66, winning 14 of the 15 matches while one match was tied.

Most matches as captain in Women's World Cup

Player Span Matches Won Lost Tied NR Win %
Mithali Raj 2005-2022 28 16 11 0 1 59.25
Belinda Clark 1997-2005 23 21 1 0 1 95.45
Susan Goatman 1973-1982 19 8 9 2 0 47.36
Heather Knight 2017-2022 18 13 5 0 0 72.22
Meg Lanning 2017-2022 15 13 2 0 0 86.66
Trish McKelvey 1978-1982 15 7 7 1 0 50.00
Mary-Pat Moore 1988-1993 15 4 11 0 0 26.66
Karen Smithies 1993-1997 15 12 3 0 0 80.00
Sharon Tredrea 1982-1988 15 14 0 1 0 96.66
Merissa Aguilleira 2009-2013 14 6 8 0 0 42.85

Featured photo: ICC