Photo via The Hindu

Harmanpreet Kaur | The game changer

Harmanpreet Kaur made history as the face of India’s women’s cricket revolution, beginning with her iconic 171 not out in the 2017 World Cup semifinal—a performance so dominant it forced Australia to rethink their approach. Her leadership as captain, including India’s first-ever Test victory at Lord’s in 2026, the inaugural Women’s Premier League title with Mumbai Indians, and back-to-back wins in the Asia Cup and Asian Games gold, cemented her legacy as a game-changer.

Kaur’s decision to step down as captain, announced via a widely shared Instagram post in October 2026, marked the end of an era for a player who helped transform women’s cricket from obscurity into a mainstream obsession in India. Her influence extended beyond the field, with her 2017 innings drawing comparisons to Virender Sehwag’s fearless batting and inspiring a generation of fans to embrace the women’s game.

The BCCI’s subsequent investments, including the WPL and the 2025 ODI World Cup win under her captaincy, further amplified her impact, turning her from a trailblazer into a symbol of the sport’s growth.

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