From setting records with the bat to inspiring a new generation with her fearless leadership, Harmanpreet Kaur’s impact on Indian cricket is undeniable
Harmanpreet Kaur is one of the most recognisable names in Indian women's cricket. Born on March 8, 1989, Kaur's career encompasses more than mere statistics; still, the figures narrate a remarkable story. Her impact with the bat is undeniable—she is the first Indian woman to score a T20I century, the only one to surpass 3,000 runs in T20Is and one of only three players to have accumulated over 3,000 runs in ODIs.
She boasts an equally impressive record as a captain. She was the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to play 100 T20Is, and in ODIs, she joined the legendary Mithali Raj as one of only two Indian women to score over 1,000 runs as captain. Her leadership has propelled India to historic successes, demonstrating once more that she flourishes under pressure.
Let us reflect on her most memorable moments as captain—those that cemented her reputation as one of the finest leaders in the game.
England. Canterbury, 2022. India had already established a 1-0 series lead, but Harmanpreet Kaur was not done yet. She delivered one of the most commanding batting performances in women's ODIs, scoring an unbeaten 143 off 111 balls. She struck 18 fours and four sixes, propelling India to 333 for 5, one of their finest totals ever.
In response, England stood no chance. They were bowled out for 245 as Renuka Singh took four wickets. This emphatic 88-run victory secured India's first bilateral ODI series win in England since 1999.
Birmingham 2022. India vs Australia. The final of the Commonwealth Games was more than just a game; it was a fight for history. The Indian women's cricket team had never won a medal at the Commonwealth Games, and Kaur was determined to change that.
Chasing 162, she played a captain's innings, scoring 65 runs off 43 balls, which included seven boundaries and two sixes. Her partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues propelled India to 118 for 2, tantalisingly close to gold. However, India suffered a dramatic collapse, losing seven wickets for just 34 runs, which handed Australia a 9-run victory.
Under Kaur's leadership, they pushed the world's top team to the brink, securing India's silver medal.
Let's fast forward to Hangzhou 2023. The stakes were high: India had never won gold at the Asian Games in women's cricket. In the final against Sri Lanka, they scored 116 for 7.
India needed something exceptional to defend a modest total, and Titas Sadhu delivered, taking 3 for 6 in an extraordinary spell. Harmanpreet's astute field placements and steady leadership ensured a 19-run victory as India claimed their first gold medal in women's cricket.
Kaur's team performed admirably against a strong South African side, winning the ODI series 3-0 in Bengaluru in 2024. India started with a 143-run victory, maintained their composure in a thrilling four-run win, and clinched the series with a six-wicket triumph in the final match.
India has now achieved ten ODI whitewashes, underscoring their dominance in this format.
In 2022, India toured Sri Lanka before the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The series served as a test of their preparedness, and Kaur took the lead.
In the final ODI, she scored a determined 75 off 88 balls and took a wicket in her five-over spell. India won by 39 runs, completing a 3-0 series whitewash, thanks to Pooja Vastrakar's 56 and two wickets. It marked their fourth consecutive ODI series victory over Sri Lanka.
