Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur
Full name	Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar
Born	8 March 1989 Moga, Punjab, India
Nationality	Indian
Role	All-rounder
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm off break
Position	Middle-order batter
Teams	India, Mumbai Indians, Punjab

Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar (born 8 March 1989) is an Indian women’s international cricketer and the captain of the Indian women’s national team. Regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Indian women’s cricket, she led India to its first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025 and is widely known for her power-hitting, leadership, and longevity at the highest level.

Early Life and Background

Harmanpreet Kaur was born in Moga, Punjab, into a sports-oriented family. Her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, was a former volleyball and basketball player who introduced her to cricket at an early age. She trained at the Gian Jyoti School Academy under coach Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi, often traveling long distances daily to attend practice sessions.

During her formative years, Harmanpreet regularly played alongside boys, developing physical strength, competitive resilience, and a fearless approach to batting. In 2014, she moved to Mumbai after securing employment with Indian Railways, which helped her balance professional stability with her cricketing career.

International Career

Harmanpreet made her international debut for India in 2009 and was selected for the ICC Women’s World Cup the same year. Over the next decade, she evolved into a core member of the Indian side across formats, contributing consistently with both bat and ball.

Her breakthrough as a global star came during the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, where she scored a match-winning 171 against Australia in the semi-final, one of the most iconic innings in women’s cricket history. She later became the first Indian woman to score a T20 International century and the first to play 100 T20 Internationals.

By 2023, she had crossed 3,000 runs in WT20Is and became the first Indian woman to reach that milestone. As captain, she guided India to landmark achievements, including bilateral series wins in England, Asia Cup titles, and India’s first-ever Test victory over Australia.

Franchise and League Cricket

Harmanpreet Kaur was the first Indian woman to sign with an overseas T20 franchise when she joined Sydney Thunder in 2016. She later represented Melbourne Renegades, Lancashire Thunder, Manchester Originals, and Trent Rockets in international leagues.

In Indian domestic franchise cricket, she captained Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League, leading the team to championship titles in 2023 and 2025. She has been one of the league’s most consistent performers, scoring over 800 runs at a strong average in the competition.

2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup

Harmanpreet’s defining achievement came in 2025, when she captained India to its maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title. In the semi-final against Australia, she played a pivotal innings of 89 runs during a record-breaking run chase. India went on to defeat South Africa in the final by 52 runs.

She finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer in World Cup knockout matches, holding the record for most runs in such games. Her calm leadership, tactical decision-making, and ability to perform under pressure were widely credited as key factors behind India’s historic triumph.

Playing Style

Harmanpreet Kaur is known for her explosive batting, strong bottom-hand grip, and ability to clear the boundary with ease. As an all-rounder, she provides balance to the team with her off-spin bowling and sharp fielding. Her leadership style emphasizes trust, adaptability, and composure in high-pressure situations.

Impact and Legacy

Harmanpreet Kaur is considered a transformative figure in Indian women’s cricket. Her success has coincided with increased visibility, professionalism, and commercial growth of the women’s game in India. She has inspired a generation of players and remains a central figure in shaping the future of women’s cricket.

Awards and Recognition

• Arjuna Award (2017)
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2023)
• Time 100 Next list (2023)
• BBC 100 Women (2023)