On March 8, 1989, a star was born in Moga, Punjab, who would later shine brightly in the world of cricket. Harmanpreet Kaur, an Indian cricketer, has become a household name today. She is the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. Her journey from a small town to leading her team on the global stage is inspiring. She faced many challenges but never gave up. This article tells the story of her life, her struggles, and her achievements. Let’s dive into the life of this remarkable woman who changed women’s cricket in India.
Early Life and Family
Harmanpreet was born in a simple Sikh family. Her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, loved sports. He played volleyball and basketball. He dreamed of becoming a cricketer but could not pursue it. Her mother, Satwinder Kaur, was a homemaker. She supported the family with love and care. Harmanpreet has a younger sister named Hemjeet. Hemjeet studied English and now works as an assistant professor. The family lived in Moga, a small town in Punjab. From a young age, Harmanpreet showed interest in cricket. She played with boys in her neighborhood. Her father saw her talent and became her first coach. He taught her the basics of the game.
Harmanpreet Kaur Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar |
| Date of Birth | March 8, 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Moga, Punjab, India |
| Family | Father: Harmandar Singh Bhullar (volleyball, basketball) Mother: Satwinder Kaur (homemaker) Sister: Hemjeet Kaur (assistant professor) |
| Education | Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar (did not complete college due to cricket) |
| Early Life | Grew up in Moga, Punjab Played cricket with boys Father was first coach Trained at Gian Jyoti School Academy under Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi |
| Cricket Inspiration | Admired Virender Sehwag for aggressive batting |
| International Debut | ODI: March 7, 2009 vs Pakistan (Women’s World Cup, Australia) T20I: June 11, 2009 vs England (Taunton) |
| Major Achievements | 171* in 2017 World Cup semi-final vs Australia First Indian woman to score T20I century (2018) First Indian to play 100 T20Is (2019) Led India to Asian Games gold (2023) Captained Mumbai Indians to WPL titles (2023, 2025) |
| Leadership Roles | T20I captain since 2016 ODI captain since 2022 Led India to Women’s T20 Asia Cup victory (2012) |
| Overseas Leagues | First Indian to sign with Sydney Thunder (WBBL, 2016) Played for Surrey Stars (Kia Super League, 2017) Player of the Tournament, WBBL (2021) |
| Career Stats | Over 3,000 runs in T20Is and ODIs Aggressive batting, off-break bowling Ranked in top 10 ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings |
| Controversy | Criticized in 2023 for hitting stumps, umpire comments; learned from incident |
| Job | Indian Railways, Mumbai (since 2014) |
| Net Worth | Around ₹5 crore (estimated) |
| Hobbies | Driving cars, listening to music |
| Favorite Movie | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |
| Favorite Actor | Ranveer Singh |
| Recent News (2025) | Led Mumbai Indians to second WPL title (March 25, 2025) |
| Inspiration | Role model for young girls in India; changed perceptions of women’s cricket |
Early Days
When Harmanpreet was young, cricket was not common for girls in Moga. People often questioned why a girl was playing a “boys’ game.” But her family stood by her. They believed in her dreams. To improve her skills, she joined the Gian Jyoti School Academy. It was 30 kilometers away from her home. She trained under coach Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi. He helped her become a better player. Harmanpreet worked hard every day. She practiced with boys because there were few girls’ teams. This made her strong and fearless. She loved watching Virender Sehwag, a famous Indian cricketer. His aggressive batting style inspired her. She wanted to hit the ball hard like him.
Harmanpreet’s hard work paid off in 2009. She was only 20 years old when she played her first international match. It was against Pakistan in the Women’s Cricket World Cup. The match happened on March 7, 2009, at Bradman Oval, Australia. She bowled four overs and gave only 10 runs. She also caught a ball to help her team. Later that year, she played her first Twenty20 (T20) match against England. It was on June 11, 2009, at Taunton. She scored eight runs off seven balls. These matches were just the start. Harmanpreet showed she could hit big shots and bowl well. Her skills made people notice her.
Became Captain
In 2012, Harmanpreet got a big chance. The regular captain, Mithali Raj, and vice-captain, Jhulan Goswami, were injured. So, Harmanpreet became the captain for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final. The match was against Pakistan. India had to defend a small score of 81 runs. Harmanpreet led her team with confidence. India won the match and the Asia Cup. This victory was special. It showed she could lead under pressure. In 2013, she became the One Day International (ODI) captain for a series against Bangladesh. She scored a century in the second match. She made 195 runs in the series, with an average of 97.50. She also took two wickets. Her performance was outstanding.
Major Achievements
Harmanpreet’s biggest moment came in 2017. It was during the Women’s Cricket World Cup. India played Australia in the semi-final on July 20, 2017, in Derby. Harmanpreet scored an unbeaten 171 runs off 115 balls. It was a powerful innings. She hit many sixes and fours. Her score is the second-highest by an Indian woman in ODIs. It helped India beat Australia and reach the final. The whole country cheered for her. She became a hero. Although India lost the final to England, Harmanpreet’s innings made her famous. People compared her shots to those of MS Dhoni, another Indian cricket legend.
In 2016, Harmanpreet made history. She became the first Indian cricketer, man or woman, to sign a contract with an overseas T20 team. She joined Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia. She played well and showed her talent to the world. In 2017, she signed with Surrey Stars in England’s Kia Super League. These achievements were big for Indian women’s cricket. They showed that Indian players could compete globally. In 2021, she was named the Player of the Tournament in the Women’s Big Bash League. She scored 406 runs and took 15 wickets. Her all-round performance was amazing.
Harmanpreet became the full-time captain of India’s T20 team in 2016. In 2022, she took over as the ODI captain after Mithali Raj retired. She also led India to a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2023. Under her leadership, the Mumbai Indians won the first Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in 2023. On March 25, 2025, she made history again. She led Mumbai Indians to their second WPL title. This made her the first captain to win multiple WPL trophies. Her leadership skills are strong. She inspires her team to play with courage.
Faced Challenges
Harmanpreet’s life was not always easy. She faced challenges as a woman cricketer. In her early days, society did not support girls playing cricket. She had to travel far for training. In 2023, she was in a controversy. During a match, she hit the stumps with her bat after being given out. She also criticized the umpires and upset the opposing team. This caused some criticism. But Harmanpreet learned from it. She focused on her game and continued to lead her team. Her determination is a lesson for everyone.
Harmanpreet’s education was simple. She studied at Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya in Jalandhar. She started college but could not finish because of cricket. Her exam dates clashed with matches. She chose cricket over studies. In 2014, she moved to Mumbai and worked for Indian Railways. This job gave her stability. She also earned money through cricket and brand endorsements. Her net worth is around 5 crore rupees. She loves driving cars and listening to music. Her favorite movie is *Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge*. She admires actor Ranveer Singh. These small details show she is a regular person with big dreams.
Records
Harmanpreet has many records. She is the first Indian woman to score a century in a T20 International match. This happened in 2018 against New Zealand. She scored 103 runs off 51 balls. She is also the first Indian to play 100 T20 International matches. This milestone came in 2019. She has over 3,000 runs in T20Is and ODIs. Her aggressive batting and off-break bowling make her a true all-rounder. She ranks among the top 10 in ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings. These achievements show her talent and hard work.
Harmanpreet is an inspiration for young girls. She came from a small town with big dreams. She faced challenges but never stopped. Her story teaches us to believe in ourselves. She shows that hard work can make dreams come true. Today, she is a role model for many. She has changed how people see women’s cricket in India. Her journey is not just about cricket. It is about courage, passion, and breaking barriers.
In 2024, Harmanpreet led India in the T20 World Cup. She also captained the team in an ODI series against New Zealand in October 2024. Her focus is on winning more titles for India. She wants to make her country proud. Her story is far from over. She continues to hit big shots and lead with strength. Harmanpreet Kaur is a true champion of Indian cricket. Her life shows that with determination, anything is possible.
