In a proud moment for Indian women’s cricket, 36-year-old batting all-rounder and current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in the record books by becoming the most successful captain in Women’s T20I history with 77 wins, surpassing former Australian skipper Meg Lanning’s tally of 76.
This milestone arrived on December 26, 2025, when India crushed Sri Lanka by 8 wickets with 40 balls to spare in the third T20I at Thiruvananthapuram, sealing a 3-0 series lead in the ongoing five-match bilateral hosted from December 21 to 30. Harmanpreet, leading India against Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lanka, expressed humble gratitude post-match, blending personal reflection with team praise.
Harmanpreet Kaur was appointed full-time T20I captain in October 2016, succeeding Mithali Raj, though her leadership debut came earlier on October 31, 2012, in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup final against Pakistan at Guanggong International Cricket Stadium, India won by 18 runs.
Under her guidance, India reached the semi-finals in the 2018 (West Indies) and 2023 (South Africa) ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, plus a maiden final in 2020 (Australia), where they fell to Australia by 85 runs at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The 2024 edition (UAE) marked a rare group-stage exit after a 9-run loss to Australia in Sharjah, with New Zealand claiming the title.
Her captaincy stats shine brightly: in 130 T20Is as skipper across 118 innings, she’s amassed 2,770 runs at a strike rate of 114.98 and average of 31.47, including 12 half-centuries and a century, her best being 103 off 51 balls (7 fours, 8 sixes) against New Zealand in the 2018 World Cup opener at Providence Stadium, Guyana, earning Player of the Match in a 34-run win. With the ball, she snared 19 wickets in 41 innings at 25.68 average and 6.39 economy, peaking with 3/11 against Thailand in 2018 for another Player of the Match award.
Overall, in 185 T20Is since her debut against England at Taunton on June 11, 2009, Harmanpreet boasts 3,700 runs in 165 innings at 108.09 strike rate and 28.9 average (14 fifties, 1 ton), plus 32 wickets in 62 innings at 24.84 average and 6.27 economy, her best 4/23 against West Indies in the 2016 World Cup at Mohali. She recently marked her 350th international appearance in the series opener against Sri Lanka, becoming only the second player ever, after Suzie Bates, to reach the mark.
This T20I success crowns a golden year, including lifting India’s maiden senior ICC title, the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. India thrashed South Africa by 52 runs in the Navi Mumbai final at DY Patil Stadium. Tournament-wise, she scored 260 runs in 9 matches (8 innings) at 89.04 strike rate and 32.50 average, including two fifties; her 89 off 88 (10 fours, 2 sixes) in the semi-final chase of 339 against Australia paired with Jemimah Rodrigues’ 127* (14 fours) to secure a thrilling 5-wicket win.
Harmanpreet stands as India’s most successful T20I skipper across genders (ahead of Rohit Sharma’s 49 wins in 62 games) and top run-scorer as captain (Rohit second with 1,905 in 62 innings). Globally in women’s T20Is, only Chamari Athapaththu (2,886 runs in 102 innings) tops her batting as skipper.
Reflecting on her record, Harmanpreet said: “I think that is something which I never thought this will happen because as a captain you always aim to win World Cups or win series, but becoming the most successful T20 captain, that is something which I never thought, but I am very grateful and would like to give all the credit to my team.
“They have been outstanding; they are the ones who, because of them, we keep winning. And yeah, I think it is just the beginning for all of us. I know now the next big thing (ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026) is coming up, and hopefully, we will continue the same winning momentum and keep winning for Team India.”
With the series at 3-0, India face Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I on December 28 at 7 PM IST in Thiruvananthapuram, eyes now on the 2026 T20 World Cup in England and Wales (June 12 to July 5). Under head coach Amol Muzumdar, Harmanpreet’s leadership promises more glory.
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