Harmanpreet Kaur: The Rise And Rise Of Indian Women's T20 Captain

Even though cricket is no less than a religion in India, women's cricket continues to struggle for the long-due recognition. However, the U19 women's team winning the T20 world cup in January this year came as a silver lining for women's cricket in India. Apart from the recent win the rising career graphs of women cricketers in the country are also proof that they are no less and will manage to leave a mark in the sport in the coming years.

One cricketer who is emerging out to be the mover and shaker of Indian cricket is Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar. The captain of the Indian women's cricket team in T20 internationals, Harmanpreet Kaur is an all-rounder and currently making news for the WPL auction. The skipper was sold to team Mumbai Indians during the auctions for ₹1.8 Crores.

Harmanpreet Kaur on being selected for the team spoke to a news daily and said, “I think it’s a game changer for all of us. To experience this pressure for the first time, I am very excited and at the same time it will entirely change women’s cricket, not only in India but even in world cricket. It’s a great initiative and we are all looking forward to that. How then men’s team were doing for MI, we will also like to contribute the same way.”

Though Kaur has become the face of women's cricket in India today, not many are aware of her journey to the sport. Let's quickly take you through her inspiring journey.

Harmanpreet Kaur Hails From A Sports Family

Born on March 8, 1989, Harmanpreet Kaur hails from Moga, Punjab. She is the daughter of Harmandar Singh Bhullar, a volleyball and basketball player and Satwinder Kaur. Growing up, she always had an interest in sports. During her schooling, she participated in multiple sports including football and volleyball, however, she always had a soft corner for cricket. Once, she was spotted playing cricket with boys in the school by the school principal, who then set up a separate girl's cricket team.

Harmanpreet Kaur's Idol

Kaur took up cricket training at the Gian Jyoti School Academy post her schooling. She used to watch cricket on television and always followed cricketer Virender Sehwag. Kaur always idolised the cricketer and further felt inclined towards playing the sport.

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Harmanpreet Kaur's ODI Debut

In the year 2009, Bhullar made her ODI debut. She was 20 when she played against Pakistan's women's team. Following the match, she played her first T20 international. Over time, Kaur gained popularity with her game. During the T20 women's Asia cup, she stepped into the shoes of the captain when captain Mithali Raj and Vice Captain Jhulan Goswami got injured.

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In the year 2017, Kaur made her landmark achievement by scoring 171 not out. Even though India didn't win the tournament, Kaur was happy that her game would inspire some and change the perception of those who felt that cricket was only for men. During an interview, she once also shared that some of her father's friends used to see her off at the airport and tell her that girls shouldn't attempt taking big hits on the field and stick to taking doubles and singles. However, after the game of women cricketers at the world cup, they too started believing that the women's team too can make it big.

We are sure that not just Kaur but many other women cricketers have been through a phase where they were pulled down multiple times. However, it is inspiring to see how Kaur, with perseverance and dedication towards the game, made it big.