Harmanpreet Kaur made history by becoming just the second Indian cricketer and seventh overall to breach the 1,000-run mark in ICC Women’s ODI World Cups, a feat that speaks volumes about her consistency, ability, and sheer grit at the world stage.
She got to the landmark in India’s pivotal group-stage encounter with England at Indore’s Holkar Stadium, scoring 70 runs off 70 balls, including 10 boundaries with a strike rate of 100. The game intensely followed as both sides struggled for a semi-final berth with Australia and South Africa already qualified.
Kaur broke the historical record accomplishing the feat that puts her among superstars like Mithali Raj, Debbie Hockley, Janette Brittin, Charlotte Edwards, Suzie Bates, and Belinda Clark. Her World Cup adventure started in 2009 and in 2025 she is playing her fifth ODI World cup in 2025, till now it includes 31 games, with highlight knocks and match-winning performances, including her record 171* off 115 in the 2017 semifinal against Australia.
With this current feat, Kaur (1,017 runs) stands with Mithali Raj (1,321 runs) as the second Indian woman with four World Cup figures of runs. Throughout her World Cup career, Kaur has remained the pillar of India’s middle order, scoring important runs with aggression as well as composure.
What makes her special is her knack for coming good on the big moment, smashing out centuries in match-fix games and stabilizing India’s pursuit or rescue mission when the top orders collapse. In Indore, Kaur’s 70-run innings at a run-a-ball put the pressure once again on Nat Sciver-Brunt’s England and established a match-changing, Harmanpreet along with Smriti Mandhana had a partnership of 125 runs in the match.
Harmanpreet Kaur, a true stalwart of Indian women’s cricket, has featured in 157 ODIs and amassed an impressive 4,290 runs in her career so far. Her consistent performances over nearly two decades underline her reliability, skill, and leadership, making her one of the most successful batters in the history of international women’s cricket.
Kaur’s feat is not only an individual one but also a milestone for women’s cricket in India. She has inspired a new generation with her aggressive cricket and captaincy. In World cups she has three centuries and five half centuries; this tells us as much about her class, scope, and flexibility. India counts on her to perform when it counts the most, and this benchmark stands witness to her mental fortitude and cricket sense.
While India keeping up with their World Cup campaign and looking forward to securing a spot in semi-finals, Harmanpreet Kaur joining the ‘1000 ODI World Cup runs’ club will be an everlasting reminder of her greatness and the rising profile of Indian women’s cricket. It’s a journey characterized by picture-perfect shots, unforgettable partnerships, and ceaseless pursuit of the win, a befitting legacy for one of India’s finest ODI performers.
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