HARMANPREET KAUR
| Harmanpreet Kaur | |
|---|---|
| |
| Full name | Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar |
| Born | 8 March 1989 Moga, Punjab, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Bowling style | Right-arm off-break |
| Teams | India Women (Captain), Mumbai Indians (WPL) |
| Jersey number | 17 |
| Father | Harmandar Singh Bhullar |
| Mother | Satwinder Kaur |
| Net worth | ₹25–60 crore (estimated) |
Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar (born 8 March 1989) is an Indian international cricketer and the captain of the India women’s cricket team across formats. Known for her powerful batting and fearless leadership, she is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of women’s cricket in India.
She gained worldwide recognition after her legendary innings of 171* against Australia in the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final, an innings widely considered one of the greatest in women’s cricket.
Early Life
Harmanpreet Kaur was born in Moga, Punjab. Growing up in a conservative environment where girls rarely pursued cricket professionally, she faced several social challenges.[1]
Her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, a court clerk and former club cricketer, played a key role in her early cricket training. He encouraged her to pursue the sport and even modified his own cricket bat so she could practice comfortably.[2]
With no girls’ teams available locally, Harmanpreet often played cricket with boys in her neighborhood. This experience helped develop her aggressive batting style.
She was later spotted by coach Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi, who offered her professional training and helped her move forward in competitive cricket.[3]
Domestic Career
Harmanpreet began her domestic cricket career with Punjab in the 2006–07 season.
Her performances as a middle-order batter and off-spin bowler quickly gained attention. In 2014, she moved to Mumbai and joined the Indian Railways team under the mentorship of former Indian captain Diana Edulji.
While working as an Office Superintendent with Western Railway, she balanced her job with early morning cricket training.
After her historic performance in the 2017 Women’s World Cup, the Punjab government appointed her as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
International Career
Harmanpreet Kaur made her ODI debut on 7 March 2009 against Pakistan.
She made her T20I debut on 11 June 2009 against England.
Her international career progressed steadily, but her breakthrough moment came during the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
In the semi-final against Australia, Harmanpreet scored an unforgettable 171* off 115 balls, including twenty fours and seven sixes. Her innings helped India reach the World Cup final for the first time in 12 years.
This performance significantly increased the popularity of women’s cricket in India.
Over time, she became one of India’s most reliable batters and a key all-rounder in international tournaments.
Captaincy
Harmanpreet Kaur began her leadership role as India’s T20I captain in 2016.
After the retirement of Mithali Raj in 2022, she became the captain of the Indian women’s team across all formats.
Her leadership style is known for being fearless and supportive. She is known to back young players and encourage attacking cricket.
Under her captaincy, India achieved several milestones, including winning the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
Women’s Premier League (WPL)
Harmanpreet Kaur became one of the biggest stars of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
In the inaugural 2023 WPL auction, she was signed by Mumbai Indians for ₹1.8 crore and was appointed as the team’s captain.
Under her leadership, Mumbai Indians won the first WPL title in 2023.
She continued to perform strongly in later seasons and remained one of the league’s most consistent batters.
Records and Achievements
Some of Harmanpreet Kaur’s major achievements include:
- First Indian woman to score a T20 International century (103*)
- Highest score by an Indian in a Women’s World Cup knockout match (171*)
- Most T20 International appearances in women’s cricket
- One of the most successful captains in Women’s T20I cricket
- First Indian captain to win a senior ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil
Career Statistics (as of 2026)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 6 | 200 | 25.00 | 0/1 | 12 |
| ODI | 163 | 4,516 | 37.31 | 7/24 | 31 |
| T20I | 190 | 3,822 | 29.40 | 1/15 | 32 |
Awards and Recognition
Harmanpreet Kaur has received several major honours during her career:
- Arjuna Award (2017)
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2023)
- TIME 100 Next (2023)
- Padma Shri (2026)
Personal Life
Harmanpreet Kaur is known for maintaining a disciplined and focused lifestyle.
Outside cricket, she enjoys:
- Football
- Riding motorcycles
- Cooking traditional Punjabi dishes
She is also known among teammates for making masala chai during overseas tours.
Legacy
Harmanpreet Kaur is widely considered a transformational figure in Indian women’s cricket.
Her 2017 World Cup innings significantly increased visibility and support for women’s cricket in India. Her leadership and performances have inspired thousands of young girls to pursue cricket professionally.
She remains one of the most influential players in modern women’s cricket.
References
- ↑ https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/women-indian-cricketer-harmanpreet-kaur-biography-1820003764-1
- ↑ https://www.kreedon.com/harmanpreet-kaur-biography
- ↑ https://zeenews.india.com/photos/sports/harmanpreet-kaur-net-worth-in-2026-how-rich-is-indian-womens-team-and-mumbai-indians-captain-3006414