Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur, the 'Queen of Indian Cricket,' is a transformative leader and explosive batter whose 2025 season has redefined the history of the sport in India. Born on March 8, 1989, in Moga, Punjab, she has long been the heart of the national side, but 2025 was her crowning year. In March, she became the first captain to win multiple WPL titles, leading the Mumbai Indians to an 8-run victory over Delhi Capitals while scoring a match-winning 66 off 44 balls in the final. However, her greatest achievement came on November 2, 2025, when she led India to their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title on home soil. During the tournament, she shattered a world record by becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in World Cup knockouts (331 runs), surpassing the legendary Belinda Clark. Her 2025 journey concluded with her leading India to a 2-0 start in the home T20I series against Sri Lanka, putting her on the verge of becoming the most successful captain in Women’s T20I history.

In the franchise arena, Harmanpreet demonstrated her legendary 'team-first' mentality ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League mega auction in late 2025. In a significant gesture, she reportedly opted to be Mumbai Indians' second retention pick, allowing her teammate Nat Sciver-Brunt to take the top slot. As a result, she was retained for ₹2.5 crore—a nearly 40% pay rise from her previous salary—ensuring her continued leadership of the 'One Family' for the 2026 season starting in January. As the first Indian woman to play 100 T20Is and the first to score over 3,000 runs in the format, her legacy as a pioneer is unmatched. Heading into 2026, the World Cup-winning captain remains the ultimate tactical force in the game, focused on securing a historic third WPL title for Mumbai and preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup in England.