Harmanpreet Kaur was born on 8 March 1989 in Moga, Punjab, to parents who had sporting backgrounds—her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, played basketball and volleyball. She joined the Gian Jyoti School Academy, 30 km from home, where she often trained with boys—instilling a fearless approach to the game.
Her early years on domestic pitches in Punjab laid the foundation for her aggressive batting and all-round cricketing skills. Wisden+1
Breakthrough in International Cricket
Harmanpreet made her ODI debut for the India women’s national cricket team in March 2009 against Pakistan. Soon she also made her T20I debut later the same year. Her early international years showed promise and power, but it was in 2017 that she truly exploded onto the global stage.
In the semifinal of the 2017 Women’s World Cup, she smashed an unbeaten 171* against Australia women’s national cricket team — one of the most iconic knocks in women’s cricket.
Leadership & Captaincy Emerges
Although she had earlier captained in stand-in roles (such as for the Asia Cup when senior players were unavailable), her formal tenure as captain across formats grew over time.
Her leadership was tested and honed through major tournaments:
- Captained India to Asia Cup wins (2016 and 2022).
- Led the Indian women’s team to their first series win in England since 1999 (ODI series win under her captaincy).
Making History: India’s First Women’s World Cup Win
On 2 November 2025, under Harmanpreet’s captaincy, India clinched their first ever women’s Cricket World Cup title by defeating South Africa women’s national cricket team in the final.
This win not only marked a milestone for Indian women’s cricket, but also for Harmanpreet personally: she became the first Indian women’s captain to lift a Cricket World Cup trophy. Her tactical acumen, field placements and composure under pressure were lauded as key to India’s success.
- Batting & Bowling: Right-hand batter and part-time off-spin bowler, able to change the game with both.
- Fearless Mindset: Her upbringing playing with boys and domestic challenges forged an attitude of taking on the best without fear.
- Leadership by Example: She scores big in big matches, guides young players and navigates tricky moments with poise.
- Inspiration for Women’s Sport: Her journey from a small town in Punjab to global cricket leadership is an inspiration to many young girls across India.
- Her leadership coincides with major achievements: series wins abroad, growth of women’s cricket, and a World Cup title.
- She helped raise the profile of women’s cricket in India—both in the media and commercially.
- Her success paves the way for the next generation: promising players now have a path to look up to.
Key Milestones at a Glance
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2009 | International debut (ODI) |
| 2017 | 171* vs Australia in World Cup semifinal |
| 2016 | Asia Cup win as captain |
| 2022 | Asia Cup win, series win in England under her captaincy |
| 2025 | Led India to their first Women’s Cricket World Cup title |
Harmanpreet Kaur’s story is one of grit, talent, leadership and transformation. From Moga’s academy grounds to the world stage, she has embodied what it takes to lead, to inspire and to win. As the first Indian women’s captain to bring home a Cricket World Cup, her legacy is assured—not just in statistics, but in the hearts of those who now believe: If she can, so can we.
