Harleen Deol, the talented right-hand batter known for her elegant stroke play, has been making waves in women’s cricket, especially in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Batting consistently in the crucial No. 3 position, she delivered impressive innings of 48 against Sri Lanka and 46 against Pakistan in the first two matches of the tournament. With a total of 988 ODI runs to her name just shy of the 1000-run milestone, Harleen is steadily establishing herself as a dependable pillar in India’s batting lineup.
However, Harleen’s journey hasn’t been without adversity. Last year, while playing for the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League, she suffered a severe knee injury that sidelined her for nearly six months. This injury came at a challenging time, testing her physical endurance and mental strength as she was forced to stay away from competitive cricket and undergo intensive rehabilitation.
Amid this difficult phase, a moment of great encouragement came unexpectedly when MS Dhoni, the legendary former Indian cricket captain, happened to be in Ranchi. When Dhoni learned about Harleen’s injury, he took the initiative to reach out to her personally.
Harleen recalls, “When I got injured, and he was around in Ranchi, everybody just wanted to meet him. But when he got to know about my injury, he called me, and we just had a chat.”
She describes the conversation as extremely special, especially because things were tough for her at that time. Dhoni not only expressed his concern but also gave her a lot of motivation. He encouraged her to stay strong, reminding her of her talent and potential to bounce back.
Harleen expressed the motivation and support from someone as experienced and respected as Dhoni meant a lot. His words helped her regain confidence. This meeting was more than just a casual interaction; it was a boost that deeply impacted Harleen’s mindset and approach towards comeback.
Today, after a remarkable recovery, Harleen is back in form, shining in the World Cup and showing that resilience and motivation can make all the difference for a sportsperson. Her journey from injury to resurgence, supported by a thoughtful gesture from MS Dhoni, is an inspiring story for cricket fans and young athletes alike.
Harleen Deol’s evolving legacy in Indian cricket is not just about the runs she scores or the matches she wins but also about her grit and determination.
Loves all things female cricket