Harmanpreet Kaur Biography: Age, Captaincy, World Cup Win & Latest News
Harmanpreet Kaur (born 8 March 1989) is an Indian cricketer and one of the most successful captains in the history of women’s cricket. A right-handed top-order batter and off-spin bowler from Moga, Punjab, she led India to its first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title on 2 November 2025 and captained Mumbai Indians to two Women’s Premier League titles. She received the Padma Shri in 2026. On 6 October 2026, she stepped down as India captain across all formats, while continuing to play as a batter.
Harmanpreet Kaur Latest News (2026)
- Steps down as captain (6 October 2026): Harmanpreet announced on social media that she was giving up the India captaincy in all three formats with immediate effect. She is not retiring and will continue to play as a senior batter. “Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” she wrote.
- Captaincy record: She led India in 155 T20Is (92 wins), 51 ODIs (30 wins) and 5 Tests (4 wins).
- 2026 titles: Under her leadership, India won the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup and the T20 gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
- Padma Shri (2026): She was named among the recipients of the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.
Harmanpreet Kaur Profile, Age and Wiki
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar |
| Profession | Cricketer |
| Role | All-rounder (right-hand bat, right-arm off-spin) |
| Career | |
| ODI debut | 7 March 2009 vs Pakistan |
| T20I debut | 11 June 2009 vs England |
| Test debut | 13 August 2014 vs England |
| WPL team | Mumbai Indians (captain; champions 2023, 2025) |
| Highest ODI score | 171* vs Australia, 2017 World Cup semi-final |
| Major titles as captain | 2025 ODI World Cup, 2026 Asian Games gold, Asia Cups |
| Awards | Arjuna Award (2017), Padma Shri (2026) |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of birth | 8 March 1989 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Moga, Punjab, India |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Relationships and Family | |
| Marital status | Unmarried |
| Father | Harmandar Singh Bhullar |
| Mother | Satwinder Kaur |
Harmanpreet Kaur Early Life and Family
Harmanpreet was born on 8 March 1989, International Women’s Day, in Moga, Punjab, to Harmandar Singh Bhullar and Satwinder Kaur. She took up cricket in Punjab and developed as a hard-hitting batter who could also bowl useful off-spin.
She later received an honorary appointment as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Punjab Police in recognition of her cricketing achievements.
Harmanpreet Kaur Cricket Career
International Debut (2009)
Harmanpreet made her ODI debut against Pakistan on 7 March 2009, a day before her 20th birthday, during the 2009 Women’s World Cup in Australia. She made her T20I debut against England a few months later and her Test debut against England in August 2014.
The 171* That Changed Women’s Cricket in India (2017)
On 20 July 2017, in the Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia at Derby, Harmanpreet scored an unbeaten 171 off 115 balls in a rain-shortened match. It remains the highest score by an Indian in a Women’s World Cup and the highest in any women’s World Cup knockout match. India reached the final, and the innings is widely credited with transforming the profile of women’s cricket in India. She received the Arjuna Award the same year.
Overseas Leagues
In June 2016, Harmanpreet signed with Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League, becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to sign for an overseas T20 franchise. The move opened the door for other Indian players to play in leagues abroad.
India Captain
Harmanpreet first led India as a stand-in captain in the 2012 Women’s T20 Asia Cup final, which India won. She became India’s T20I captain and later took over the ODI side as well, leading India at the 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2024 Women’s T20 World Cups. India reached the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup under her captaincy. In July 2025, she led India to its first women’s T20I series win in England.
2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Win
The high point of her career came at the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, held in India. In the semi-final on 30 October 2025, she scored 89 and shared a 167-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues as India chased 339 against Australia, the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history.
In the final on 2 November 2025 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India beat South Africa by 52 runs to win their first Women’s World Cup. Harmanpreet scored 20 and took the catch that ended the match. She also holds the record for the most runs in Women’s World Cup knockout matches.
Mumbai Indians in the WPL
Mumbai Indians bought Harmanpreet at the first Women’s Premier League auction in February 2023 and made her captain. She led them to the inaugural WPL title in 2023 and a second title in March 2025, becoming the first captain to win multiple WPL trophies.
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as Captain
On 6 October 2026, less than a year after the World Cup win, Harmanpreet announced that she was stepping down as captain in all formats. She said leadership had involved difficult decisions and that she had often put her own performance second to the team’s needs. She remains available as a senior batter. Reports in mid-October 2026 indicated that Smriti Mandhana would take over the captaincy.
Harmanpreet Kaur Career Highlights
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2009 | ODI and T20I debuts |
| 2012 | Led India to Asia Cup title as stand-in captain |
| 2016 | Signed with Sydney Thunder (WBBL) |
| 2017 | 171* vs Australia in World Cup semi-final; Arjuna Award |
| 2023 | Captained Mumbai Indians to inaugural WPL title |
| 2025 | Second WPL title; first T20I series win in England; World Cup champion |
| 2026 | Padma Shri; Asia Cup and Asian Games gold; stepped down as captain |
Harmanpreet Kaur Personal Life
Harmanpreet is unmarried and keeps her personal life private. She remains closely connected to her home state of Punjab. Her success has inspired a generation of young girls in Punjab and across India to take up cricket.
Lesser-Known Facts About Harmanpreet Kaur
- She was born on International Women’s Day.
- She was the first Indian woman to sign for an overseas T20 franchise.
- Her 171* is the highest score in a women’s World Cup knockout match.
- She was the first captain to win two WPL titles.
- She took the final catch of the 2025 World Cup final.
Harmanpreet Kaur Captaincy Record
| Format | Matches as captain | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 155 | 92 | 57 |
| ODI | 51 | 30 | 19 |
| Test | 5 | 4 | 1 |
These figures make her one of India’s most successful captains in women’s cricket, and her tenure brought India its first major ICC title in the women’s game.
Harmanpreet Kaur Batting Style
Harmanpreet is known as a powerful, attacking right-handed batter who can clear the boundary with ease, an ability that made her 2017 innings against Australia so memorable. She usually bats in the middle order in ODIs and higher up in T20s, and she has been one of India’s most reliable players in knockout matches. Her part-time off-spin has also given India a useful extra bowling option.
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Harmanpreet Kaur FAQs
How old is Harmanpreet Kaur?
Harmanpreet Kaur was born on 8 March 1989, so she is 37 years old (as of 2026).
Is Harmanpreet Kaur still India captain?
No. She stepped down as India captain in all formats on 6 October 2026 but continues to play as a batter.
Has Harmanpreet Kaur retired?
No. She has given up the captaincy only and remains available to play for India.
When did India win the Women’s World Cup?
India won its first Women’s Cricket World Cup on 2 November 2025, beating South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai under Harmanpreet’s captaincy.
What is Harmanpreet Kaur’s highest score?
Her highest ODI score is 171 not out off 115 balls against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final.
Which WPL team does Harmanpreet Kaur play for?
She plays for and has captained Mumbai Indians, winning the WPL in 2023 and 2025.
Where is Harmanpreet Kaur from?
She is from Moga, Punjab.
What awards has Harmanpreet Kaur won?
She received the Arjuna Award in 2017 and the Padma Shri in 2026.
Who are Harmanpreet Kaur’s parents?
Her parents are Harmandar Singh Bhullar and Satwinder Kaur.
Is Harmanpreet Kaur married?
No. Harmanpreet Kaur is not married.
Which overseas teams has Harmanpreet Kaur played for?
She signed with Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League in 2016, the first Indian woman to join an overseas T20 franchise.
When did Harmanpreet Kaur make her debut?
She made her ODI debut against Pakistan on 7 March 2009 and her T20I debut against England on 11 June 2009.