Harmanpreet Kaur

An aggressive middle-order batter, Harmanpreet Kaur Bhulla, 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. 

Harmanpreet was introduced to cricket by her father, who himself was a sportsman. 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 to don 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. 

In 2014, Harmanpreet 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. 

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 where her girls clinched their sixth title. 

In the same year, Harmanpreet became the first Indian cricketer to sign a foreign T20 league contract when three WBBL teams called 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.

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 during the semifinal when she smashed 171 not out off 115 balls, which knocked out defending champions Australia and powered the Indians into the finals for the first time since 2005. 

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 megaevent 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. In 2020, Harmanpreet bagged her 100th ODI to become the fifth entrant to the list. 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 historic number of 86000 people in the MCG. 

March of 2021 brought a significant milestone: in a game against South Africa, she became the fifth Indian woman cricketer to play 100 ODIs. 

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, displaying her all-round capabilities that had made her such 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 honor in the competition.

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, it was in Birmingham, at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where 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.

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.

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 handed a 75% match fee fine and a two-match suspension. 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.

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, now at seven in just 27 matches. This remarkable feat was a testament to her ability to deliver under pressure and lead from the front, whether it was with bat or ball. 

Beyond the WPL, 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.

(As of May 2025)