Licensed photo · Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.; file: 2016–17 WBBL ST v PS 17-01-21 Kaur (03).jpg; file page: [2016–17 WBBL ST v PS 17-01-21 Kaur (03).jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016%E2%80%9317_WBBL_ST_v_PS_17-01-21_Kaur_(03).jpg); license: CC BY-SA 4.0; no endorsement; factual editorial use only Verified 22 Oct 2026
Cricket · Right-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur is an Indian batter whose power hitting, off-break bowling and long captaincy career helped define the rise of women's cricket in India.
IndiaBorn 8 March 1989
Current statusIndia Women player as of 22 October 2026; stepped down as India captain on 6 October 2026. Mumbai Indians Women are listed through the 2025/26 season.
The verified profile
Born in Moga, Punjab, Harmanpreet Kaur made her India debut in 2009 after learning the game from her father. She became the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to sign a Big Bash League contract, scored the famous unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup semi-final, and led India to its first Women's Cricket World Cup title in 2025. On 6 October 2026, she relinquished the captaincy while continuing as an India player.
Factual references: Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6How to read the player
Kaur's record is best read in separate formats rather than as one blended total. Her batting is built around high-impact stroke play, while her off-break bowling and fielding give teams a genuine all-round option. The 171 not out in 2017 remains the defining innings of her public career, but her longer contribution is the combination of international longevity, leadership and participation in overseas franchise leagues.
Original analysis by SportsHub4U research deskCareer, life and public work
Every section and number below is tied to the named source ledger. Sport-specific statistics retain their stated scope and verification date.
Batting
Career figures shown by ESPNcricinfo as accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Bowling
Career figures shown by ESPNcricinfo as accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Batting
Career figures shown by ESPNcricinfo as accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Bowling
Career figures shown by ESPNcricinfo as accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Batting
Career figures shown by ESPNcricinfo as accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Bowling
Career figures shown by ESPNcricinfo as accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Batting
Tournament figures, not international totals; ESPNcricinfo page accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Batting
Tournament figures, not international totals; Cricket Australia profile accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Bowling
Tournament figures, not international totals; Cricket Australia profile accessed 22 Oct 2026.
Background and identity
Harmanpreet Kaur Singh was born on 8 March 1989 in Moga, Punjab. Cricket Australia says she grew up playing with men and women and that her father was her first coach. Mumbai Indians' profile adds that she grew up idolising Virender Sehwag. These details explain the public shape of her early story without needing private family or schooling claims.
From India debut to captaincy
Kaur debuted for India in both one-day and T20I cricket in 2009. Her first major leadership opportunity came in the 2012 Women's T20 Asia Cup final when injuries to Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami put her in charge; India beat Pakistan by 18 runs. She became the regular T20I captain in 2016 and later took on ODI and Test captaincy in 2022. On 6 October 2026, the BCCI confirmed that she had handed over the captaincy while remaining committed to India as a player. For related Indian women’s-cricket profiles, see Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj.
Signature innings and international milestones
The 2017 World Cup semi-final against Australia remains the central chapter: Kaur made 171 not out from 115 balls, the highest individual score by an Indian in Women's Cricket World Cup history. She also led India to the 2020 T20 World Cup final and, in 2025, captained India to its first Women's Cricket World Cup title. In 2026, the BCCI recorded three further longevity markers: most-capped international player in women's cricket, first player to appear in 200 T20Is and first to captain 150 T20Is. Her profile sits within the site’s Cricket desk.
A power batter with off-break value
The source profiles consistently list Kaur as a right-handed batter and off-break or right-arm off-spin bowler. Her batting profile is aggressive, but ESPNcricinfo's career account also describes a more mature approach that developed alongside captaincy and tactical responsibility. Her bowling record is meaningful in Tests, ODIs, WT20Is and the WBBL, so it is more accurate to describe her as a batting-led all-round option than as a specialist bowler.
Leadership status as of 22 October 2026
This dossier is time-stamped. The BCCI statement dated 6 October 2026 says Kaur stepped down from the India captaincy but would continue as a player. It also records India's 2026 Asian Games gold under her final captaincy assignment. No later source in this dossier is used to assign a new captaincy role or a future team commitment.
Public commercial record
Kaur's documented commercial cricket work is league-based rather than an ownership claim: she became the first Indian cricketer to sign a WBBL contract in 2016 and the first Indian to join the Kia Super League in 2017. The selected credible sources do not document a company, foundation or personally owned venture, so none is asserted here. No net-worth or salary estimate is included.
Career timeline
Selected verified milestones
- India ODI debut
She made her WODI debut for India at age 20 in the 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup.
Cricket Australia - India WT20I debut
Her WT20I debut followed in the 2009 ICC Women's World Twenty20.
ESPNcricinfo - First India captaincy assignment
BCCI records her first leadership opportunity as the 2012 Women's T20 Asia Cup final against Pakistan.
Board of Control for Cricket in India - Regular T20I captain and WBBL breakthrough
She became India's regular T20I captain and the first Indian to sign a WBBL contract.
Cricket Australia - 171* against Australia
The innings took India into the World Cup final and became her signature international performance.
Mumbai Indians - World Cup-winning captain
India defeated South Africa in Navi Mumbai for its first Women's Cricket World Cup title.
Board of Control for Cricket in India - Captaincy handover
She stepped down as India's captain and confirmed that she would continue representing India as a player.
Board of Control for Cricket in India
Achievement index
Source-linked reference points
171* in the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup semi-final
Her unbeaten 171 against Australia is recorded as the highest individual score by an Indian in Women's Cricket World Cup history.
First Indian to sign a Big Bash League contract
Sydney Thunder signed her in 2016, the first such contract for an Indian cricketer, male or female.
First Indian to sign a Kia Super League contract
She joined Surrey Stars in 2017, extending her overseas-league career after the WBBL breakthrough.
Wisden India Cricketer of the Year
CricketArchive lists the 2023 Wisden India Cricketer of the Year honour.
India's first Women's Cricket World Cup title
As captain, she led India to the 2025 title, according to the BCCI's 6 October 2026 retrospective.
Sources and method
What supports this profile
SportsHub4U writes verified facts in original language and links to the source pages used. Each link records the evidence reviewed for this dossier.
- 01International Cricket Council
Harmanpreet Kaur | Player Profile
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 02Mumbai Indians
Harmanpreet Kaur Profile
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 03CricketArchive
Harmanpreet Kaur
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 04ESPNcricinfo
Harmanpreet Kaur Profile - Cricket Player India
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 05Cricket Australia
Harmanpreet Kaur
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 06Board of Control for Cricket in India
BCCI acknowledges Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership and contribution to Indian Cricket
Accessed 2026-10-22