Mithali Raj reads book before smashing world record in Women's World Cup opener

India secured a convincing victory over England in the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 opener but it wasn't just their on-field performance that made headlines. Indian skipper Mithali Raj was seen reading a book while sitting on the Indian bench and her calmness during the all-important clash, reports Zee News. India piled up an imposing 281 for three in their 50 overs thanks to fifties from Smriti Mandhana (90) and Punam Raut (86), who put on 144 for the first wicket, as well as 71 from skipper Mithali Raj. Mithali smashed yet another fifty and in the process, the third of the innings, as she set a world record. Her seventh consecutive fifty was the most by any woman player in ODIs, bettering the previous mark of six jointly held by three players, Lindsay Reeler, Charlotte Edwards and Ellyse Perry.

?? In her last 7 ODI innings, #MithaliRaj has scored:

70* 64 73* 51* 54 62* 71 ?#ENGvIND #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/Gq4FySGMbE— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 24, 2017

Only reigning world champions Australia had previously made a success of chasing a bigger target in a women`s one-day international. England just about kept themselves in the hunt and were still in with a chance thanks to Fran Wilson`s maiden fifty at 229 for six in the 44th over. But her departure for 81 -- one of four run-outs in the innings -- left the lower order of England, now a team of full-time professionals, with too much to do. Three-times champions England, who've won the previous two World Cups staged in their own country, were eventually bowled out for 246. With the contest over, Mithali instantly became a sensation on Twitter, as Tweeple couldn't stop themselves from hailing her calmness.

#MithaliRaj - Queen of ?#WWC17 pic.twitter.com/F8GvP5oZJa— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 24, 2017

No one has more chill than #MithaliRaj https://t.co/vjxFZ8g9IpHowever, Mithali latter revealed after the match that book she was reading before going to bat. — ICC (@ICC) June 24, 2017

India's openers putting England to the sword, while skipper & no3 Mithali Raj catches up on some light reading.. #chilled #WCC17 ? — mark butcher (@markbutcher72) June 24, 2017 

What did @M_Raj03 think of our #MithaliRaj emoji? And what book was she reading while waiting to come on and bat? #ENGvIND #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/uw0scakrBh— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 25, 2017

Mithali later tweeted the reason behind her 'book readin.'

Well it was a perfect weather for a relaxing read. ?? https://t.co/7IcOTOViob— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) June 24, 2017

All the eight teams involved in the World Cup -- England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, the West Indies and Sri Lanka -- will play each other the once, with the top four then going on to contest the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Mithali Raj gave a fitting reply to a journalist a few days back which was applauded by many including tennis star Sania Mirza. When asked about her favourite male cricketer, she shut the journalist by asking him to find out the favourite female cricketers of the male cricketers.