Harmanpreet Kaur

An aggressive middle-order batter, Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar, idolises Virender Sehwag. Like her idol, she also knows the art of off-break bowling. Harmanpreet is the first Indian female cricketer to hit a T20I ton and the first Indian to feature in a foreign franchise T20 league.

Padma Shri awardee, Harmanpreet was introduced to cricket by her father, who was a sportsman himself. As a kid, she used to compete with boys and beat them by a fair margin. Seeing her potential, her school coach helped her pursue the sport and train with other girls.

A young Harmanpreet started as a seam-bowling all-rounder and soon rose through the ranks, donning the Indian Blues in 2009 at the age of 20. She first came into the international scene during the 2009 World T20 and made her ODI debut in the same year against Pakistan. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that Harmanpreet could state her prominence on the world stage, courtesy of her century against England in the World Cup.

Harmanpreet Kaur ODI Career

A young Harmanpreet Kaur started as a seam-bowling all-rounder and soon rose through the ranks, donning the Indian Blues in 2009 at the age of 20. She made her ODI debut in the same year against Pakistan. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that Harmanpreet could state her prominence on the world stage, courtesy of her century against England in the World Cup.

During the 2017 World Cup, Harmanpreet played a vital role in India reaching the final of the event. She scored two half-centuries and a century, apart from bagging five wickets, during the campaign. 

Her biggest moment came in the semifinal, when she smashed 171 not out off 115 balls, knocking out defending champions Australia and powering the Indians into the finals for the first time since 2005.

Next year, she became the first Indian woman to play 100 T20Is. In 2020, Harmanpreet bagged her 100th ODI to become the fifth entrant to the list.

Her leadership journey began in New Zealand, where she captained India in the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Though India’s campaign ended in heartbreak, with a semi-final exit, Harmanpreet’s leadership was a beacon throughout, guiding the team with a calm yet resolute approach. She was key with the bat too, scoring vital runs in the tournament, further cementing her role as one of the game’s premier players.

However, the year also saw its share of controversy. In July 2023, during the final ODI against Bangladesh, Harmanpreet was involved in an incident that led to a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. Her outburst after being dismissed in that match attracted significant attention, and as a result, she was fined 75% of her match fee and suspended for 2 matches.

The disciplinary action put a shadow on an otherwise remarkable year, but Harmanpreet’s integrity and leadership never wavered. She owned up to the mistake, and soon, the focus shifted back to her undeniable contributions on the field.

Leadership was once again at the heart of her success, as she guided India to a historic gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games. Under her captaincy, the Indian women’s cricket team delivered a dominating performance, clinching the gold and further cementing Harmanpreet’s status as a captain who could not only inspire but also lead her team to victory on the grandest stages.

Harmanpreet’s leadership skills were on full display once again in May 2025 during the Tri-Nation Series, where she captained India to a 97-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final. While the victory was sweet, Harmanpreet couldn’t hide her concerns regarding India’s pace attack, which had been plagued by recurring injuries.

Despite the triumph, her focus remained on improving the team’s overall balance and ensuring sustained success, proving that her vision for Indian women’s cricket was both forward-thinking and pragmatic.

Notably, under Harmanpreet’s leadership, India won their maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final on November 2, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

However, for Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s historic triumph at the 2025 Cricket World Cup was about far more than lifting a trophy. It represented belief, progress and the growing possibilities for women’s cricket in the country.

Harmanpreet Kaur T20I Career

Harmanpreet Kaur first came into the international scene during the 2009 World T20.

Post India’s disappointing T20 World Cup at home in 2016, Harmanpreet was handed the captaincy in the T20 format, though she didn’t have a great time in her maiden series as a leader. However, she had an impressive Asia Cup campaign, during which her girls clinched their sixth title.

In 2018, Harmanpreet led the Indian girls to the semifinal of the T20 World Cup, before they lost to England. The Indian Captain enjoyed her time in the mega event and scored her maiden T20I ton. Her 103 off 51 balls against New Zealand was the first century scored by an Indian female cricketer in the format.

Next year, she became the first Indian woman to play 100 T20Is.

She led India in the 2020 World T20 held in Australia. Harmanpreet proudly led her girls to the final, where they played in front of the record crowd of 86000 at the MCG.

However, it was in Birmingham at the 2022 Commonwealth Games that Harmanpreet truly shone as a leader. The inaugural women’s cricket tournament at the Games was a historic moment in itself, and under Harmanpreet’s captaincy, India played some of their most composed cricket on a global stage. The final against Australia was a hard-fought encounter, and although India fell short, securing a silver medal in the debut cricket tournament at the Commonwealth Games was nothing short of a triumph.

Harmanpreet Kaur Test career

In 2014, Harmanpreet Kaur made her Test debut against England at Wormsley but couldn’t contribute to her team’s win. A couple of months later, the all-rounder flaunted her abilities with the ball in hand by taking nine wickets in a Test against South Africa.

Harmanpreet Kaur WPL Career

In the same year, Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian cricketer to sign a contract with a foreign T20 league when three WBBL teams approached her. She ended up playing for Sydney Thunder and finished as the club’s Player of the Tournament. After WBBL, she signed with the ECB’s Women’s Cricket League to play for Surrey.

That same year, she took her skills to the global stage in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), signing with the Melbourne Renegades for the 2021-22 season. Her performances there were nothing short of sensational. Kaur racked up 399 runs and took 15 wickets, showcasing the all-round capabilities that made her a vital asset for both India and her franchise teams. Her leadership and skill saw her named the Player of the Tournament, making her the first Indian to earn this prestigious honour in the competition.

The year began with the buzz of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where Harmanpreet was picked up by Mumbai Indians for a substantial INR 1.80 crore in the inaugural auction. As captain, she carried the weight of expectations with ease. Leading from the front, Harmanpreet steered Mumbai Indians to WPL glory, clinching the title in a thrilling finish. Her contributions with the bat were vital, as she finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the season, demonstrating why she was one of the most sought-after leaders in women’s cricket.

Kaur reached new heights, etching her name even further into the history books of women’s cricket. The year began with a crowning achievement in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where Harmanpreet’s leadership once again proved to be the decisive factor. Under her captaincy, Mumbai Indians stormed to their second WPL title, making her the first captain to win multiple WPL trophies. It was a monumental moment not just for her but for the entire franchise, cementing her place as one of the most successful and influential leaders in the history of women’s T20 cricket.

Her individual brilliance continued to shine, and she was named Player of the Match in the WPL 2025 final, further extending her record for the most Player of the Match awards in WPL history.

(As of June 2026)