India captain Harmanpreet Kaur reached a historic landmark on 19 February 2026 when she became the most-capped player in women’s international cricket during the second T20I of the series against Australia. By stepping out for her 356th international appearance, she moved past New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who previously held the record with 355 matches.
The milestone is a reflection of longevity at the highest level. Harmanpreet’s 356 appearances are spread across 6 Tests, 161 ODIs and 189 T20Is, placing her at the top of the all-time list in women’s cricket. She now sits ahead of Bates on 355, Australia’s Ellyse Perry on 349, India legend Mithali Raj on 333 and England great Charlotte Edwards on 309. The record came in a high-profile contest, underlining how consistently she has featured for India across formats and over time.
Kaur’s international journey began in March 2009 when she made her ODI debut against Pakistan at the Bradman Oval in Bowral. Just months later, she played her first T20I against England in June 2009, and in 2014 she added Test cricket to her résumé. From those early steps to now holding the global appearance record, her career charts the rise of India women’s cricket itself.
Across formats, Harmanpreet has built a substantial body of work with the bat. She has scored more than 4,400 runs in ODIs, including multiple centuries, and nearly 3,800 runs in T20Is, where she has often occupied the crucial middle-order role. In Test cricket, though opportunities have been limited, she has contributed important runs in India’s recent red-ball fixtures. Her ability to accelerate, absorb pressure and finish innings has made her one of India’s most reliable match-winners.
One of the defining moments of her career remains the unbeaten 171 off 115 balls in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia. That innings is widely regarded as one of the greatest in women’s ODI history and remains her highest international score. It elevated her stature globally and brought unprecedented attention to the women’s game in India.
Significantly, her 356th international appearance also underlines her impact as a leader. Harmanpreet has been India’s captain across formats for a large portion of her career, and her tenure has coincided with some of the team’s greatest achievements. Most notably, she led India to their first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title in November 2025, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final, a historic triumph that ended India’s long wait for global cricket silverware.
Under her captaincy, India also secured significant results in multi-sport events, including a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games, reflecting her ability to inspire and marshal her team on big stages. She has also guided India to competitive series wins and high-profile performances against top sides away from home, earning respect for her tactical acumen and resilience under pressure.
The endurance required to reach 356 matches is considerable. International cricket now demands year-round commitments, extensive travel and adaptability across formats. Harmanpreet has navigated those demands with consistency, maintaining her place in the XI across changing team combinations and evolving tactical approaches. Her role has not been limited to batting alone; she has contributed useful off-spin and remains an energetic presence in the field.
As the series against Australia continues, the number 356 will grow further. But regardless of how high it climbs; the milestone already stands as a defining marker of Harmanpreet Kaur’s career and her enduring impact on international women’s cricket.
Most women’s internationals appearances:
356 Harmanpreet Kaur, India (6 Test, 161 ODI, 189 T20I)
355 Suzie Bates, New Zealand (0 Test, 178 ODI, 177 T20I)
349 Ellyse Perry, Australia, (14 Test, 165 ODI, 170 T20I)
333 Mithali Raj, India (12 Test, 232 ODI, 89 T20I)
309 Charlotte Edwards, England (23 Test, 191 ODI, 9T20I)
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