Harmanpreet Kaur: The records, milestones and achievements that define her India career

Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats marks the end of one of the longest and most significant leadership chapters in Indian women’s cricket. But her legacy goes well beyond her time as captain.

From her unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup to leading India to their first senior women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025, Harmanpreet has been part of several landmark moments in Indian cricket.

Here are some of the biggest records and achievements of her career.

India’s first T20I century

Harmanpreet became the first Indian woman to score a century in T20I cricket when she smashed an unbeaten 103 against New Zealand in the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup. The innings came off 51 balls and included eight sixes and seven fours.

Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India women's cricket team captain after World Cup, Asian Games glory

The 171 that changed her career

One of the defining innings of Harmanpreet’s career came in the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia.

She scored an unbeaten 171 off 115 balls, including seven sixes and 20 fours, to help India beat Australia and reach the final. The innings remains one of the most memorable knocks in women’s World Cup history.

Harmanpreet has herself described the 171 as an innings that changed her life, while the 2017 World Cup campaign became a major turning point for Indian women’s cricket.

First Indian cricketer to 100 T20Is

In 2019, Harmanpreet became the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to play 100 T20 internationals.

She would go on to take that record much further.

First player in the world to play 200 T20Is

In June 2026, Harmanpreet became the first cricketer in the world to play 200 T20 internationals.

Her 200th T20I came against South Africa at Manchester, the same city where she had made her T20I debut 17 years earlier.

Also Read: Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur becomes first cricketer to captain in 150 T20Is

Most-capped woman in international cricket

In February 2026, Harmanpreet became the most-capped woman in international cricket when she made her 356th appearance for India, overtaking New Zealand’s Suzie Bates.

At that stage, her international tally comprised six Tests, 161 ODIs and 189 T20Is.

First cricketer to captain in 150 T20Is

Harmanpreet added another world record in September 2026 when she became the first cricketer, across men’s and women’s international cricket, to captain a team in 150 T20Is.

She reached the milestone while leading India against Pakistan in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.

India’s first senior women’s World Cup title

The biggest achievement of Harmanpreet’s captaincy came in November 2025, when India won their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup.

India defeated South Africa in the final to become the first Indian team to win the senior Women’s Cricket World Cup. Harmanpreet became the first Indian woman and only the third Indian captain after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni to lift a senior World Cup trophy.

Asian Games gold in 2026

Harmanpreet also led India to gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final to retain the women’s cricket gold medal. It was India’s second successive Asian Games gold in women’s cricket.

Commonwealth Games silver

Under Harmanpreet’s leadership, India won the silver medal in the women’s cricket event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It was the first time cricket featured at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Asian Games gold in 2023

Harmanpreet was also part of India’s gold-medal winning campaign at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where women’s cricket made its second appearance at the Games.

A long international career

Harmanpreet made her international debut in 2009 and went on to become one of the most experienced players in women’s cricket. By February 2026, she had scored 4,409 runs in ODIs, 200 in Tests and 3,820 in T20Is, with eight international centuries and 38 fifties.

Her international career also includes appearances in multiple editions of the Women’s World Cup and T20 World Cup, making her one of the most recognisable figures of the growth of Indian women’s cricket.

A landmark overseas move

Harmanpreet was the first Indian woman to be signed by an overseas T20 franchise when she joined Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League.

The move came in 2016 and was another landmark moment for Indian women cricketers seeking opportunities in overseas franchise leagues.

Arjuna Award

Harmanpreet received the Arjuna Award in 2017 for her contribution to cricket.

From a record 200 T20Is to 356 international appearances, a 171-run World Cup knock and leading India to its first senior women’s World Cup title, Harmanpreet’s career has been closely tied to several of the biggest milestones in Indian women’s cricket.

Her captaincy may have ended, but her playing career continues. As she said while stepping down, “Captaincy ends. The journey continues.”