“I Have Done My Duty”: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Era Comes to an End
“I Have Done My Duty”: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Era Comes to an End
Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats, bringing an emotional end to one of the most important leadership chapters in Indian women’s cricket. At 37, the veteran has decided to move away from captaincy but continue playing for India. Her career has been filled with historic innings, major records, international titles and moments that helped change the way women’s cricket is viewed in the country.
From Moga to the Indian Cricket Team
Harmanpreet made her international debut in 2009 against Pakistan in an ODI before making her T20I debut against England later that year. From the beginning, her aggressive batting and fearless approach made her a player capable of changing matches.
Her first major taste of leadership came in 2012, when she captained India in the T20 Asia Cup final in the absence of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. India defeated Pakistan by 18 runs, giving Harmanpreet her first major title as captain.
The 171 That Changed Her Career
The defining innings of Harmanpreet’s career came in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia. With India under pressure, she produced a spectacular 171 not out from 115 balls, smashing 20 fours and seven sixes.
India won the rain-affected match by 36 runs, and Harmanpreet’s innings became the highest individual score by an Indian woman in a World Cup. Although India eventually lost the final to England, the tournament became a turning point for Indian women’s cricket.
Another Record in 2018
Harmanpreet created more history at the 2018 T20 World Cup. Against New Zealand, she smashed an unbeaten 103 from 51 balls, becoming the first Indian woman to score a century in T20 internationals.
Her innings included eight sixes and seven fours as India posted 194 for 5 before restricting New Zealand to 160. India won by 34 runs, while Harmanpreet became the first Indian woman to reach three figures in T20Is.
From Records to 200 T20Is
The milestones continued throughout her career. In 2019, Harmanpreet became the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to play 100 T20 internationals.
In 2026, she reached another extraordinary landmark by becoming the first cricketer in the world to play 200 T20Is. She also became the most-capped woman in international cricket, crossing 356 international appearances and moving past New Zealand’s Suzie Bates.
The World Cup Trophy She Had Waited For
The biggest moment of Harmanpreet’s captaincy arrived in 2025. After years of memorable World Cup campaigns, India finally won its first senior Women’s ODI World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final.
Harmanpreet became the first Indian woman to captain the team to the senior Women’s World Cup title. For a player whose 171* had taken India to the 2017 final, lifting the trophy eight years later was a remarkable full-circle moment.
Asian Games and WPL Success
Her leadership success extended beyond the World Cup. Harmanpreet was part of India’s gold-medal-winning Asian Games team in 2023 and later captained India to another gold at the 2026 Asian Games, where India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final.
At franchise level, she became the captain of Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League and led the team to the inaugural WPL title in 2023. Her international career also included a landmark overseas move when she became the first Indian woman to sign for the Women’s Big Bash League, joining Sydney Thunder in 2016.
A Career Built on Numbers and Moments
Harmanpreet’s numbers underline the scale of her career. She accumulated thousands of international runs across formats and became one of India’s most experienced players.
But her legacy goes beyond statistics. The 171 not out, the first Indian T20I century, 200 T20Is, the Asian Games gold medals and the 2025 World Cup triumph represent different stages of a career that has lasted more than 17 years.
“I Have Done My Duty”
On October 6, 2026, Harmanpreet announced that she was stepping down from captaincy across all formats. Her message marked the end of her leadership era, but not her international career.
“I have done my duty,” Harmanpreet said in her announcement, making it clear that she still wants to continue representing India. Her message carried a simple idea: the captaincy chapter is over, but the cricket journey continues.
The Captain Leaves, the Cricketer Remains
Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy may now belong to history, but her contribution to Indian women’s cricket will remain visible for years. She played during a period when women’s cricket grew from a niche sport into a major part of India’s sporting landscape.
From that young cricketer who debuted in 2009 to the captain who lifted the 2025 World Cup trophy, her journey has been filled with moments that changed Indian cricket. The captain has stepped aside. Harmanpreet Kaur, the cricketer, is still here.
