India captain Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name into the history books on Thursday, becoming the most-capped player in women’s international cricket during the second T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Taking the field for her 356th international appearance, the 36-year-old surpassed New Zealand stalwart Suzie Bates, who had previously held the record with 355 matches. In doing so, Harmanpreet became the first cricketer in the history of the women’s game to cross the 355-match mark at the international level a milestone that not only reflects her individual longevity but also underlines the evolution of women’s cricket into a more structured and professionally competitive global sport.
A Career Built Across Formats
Since making her international debut in 2009, Harmanpreet has been a consistent presence in India’s middle order across formats. Her 356 appearances include:
- 189 T20 Internationals
- 161 One-Day Internationals
- 6 Test Matches
This spread highlights the demands of modern-day multi-format cricket, where players are required to adapt continuously across varying formats, schedules, and tactical frameworks. Harmanpreet’s sustained presence across all three formats for over 15 years places her among the most enduring performers in the women’s game.
Her journey from a promising young all-rounder to one of the most influential leaders in world cricket mirrors the growth trajectory of the Indian women’s team itself from a largely semi-professional setup to a globally competitive side capable of challenging traditional powerhouses.
Joining an Elite Group
With this milestone, Harmanpreet now leads an elite list of players who have defined longevity in women’s international cricket:
| Player | Country | International Matches |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | India | 356 |
| Suzie Bates | New Zealand | 355 |
| Ellyse Perry | Australia | 349 |
| Mithali Raj | India | 333 |
| Charlotte Edwards | England | 309 |
The presence of two Indian players in the top four Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj is reflective of India’s increasing prominence in the international women’s cricket landscape over the past decade.
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Over the years, Harmanpreet’s role within the Indian setup has evolved significantly. Initially known for her aggressive strokeplay and utility as a bowling option, she has transitioned into a middle-order mainstay and tactical leader capable of steering the side through high-pressure situations.
Her leadership has coincided with one of the most competitive phases in Indian women’s cricket. Under her captaincy, India has regularly featured in the knockout stages of ICC tournaments and emerged as a formidable white-ball unit. Her ability to anchor innings while maintaining a high strike rate in T20 cricket has made her one of the most valuable middle-order batters in the format globally.
Harmanpreet reached the landmark during the second T20I of India’s ongoing multi-format tour of Australia. While the hosts secured a 19-run win to level the three-match T20I series 1-1, the occasion remained a significant personal achievement for the Indian skipper.
The match itself was played in front of favourable conditions at the Manuka Oval, with India opting to bowl first after winning the toss. Australia posted a competitive 163/5, riding on Georgia Voll’s 88, before Ashleigh Gardner’s three-wicket haul restricted India to 144/9 in response. Despite the result, the evening marked a defining chapter in Harmanpreet’s international journey one that has spanned multiple World Cups, bilateral series, and the transition of the women’s game into a more commercially viable ecosystem.
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Harmanpreet’s record is as much about her personal resilience as it is about the expanding international calendar in women’s cricket. Over the past decade, the increase in bilateral series, ICC tournaments, and franchise leagues such as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has significantly elevated match exposure for elite players.
As international fixtures become more frequent and the sport moves toward Olympic inclusion in 2028, such milestones are expected to become key benchmarks for assessing longevity and performance at the highest level.
India currently lead the three-match T20I series 1-0, with the third T20I set to determine the outcome before the teams move into the ODI leg of the tour, followed by a one-off Test. For Harmanpreet Kaur, however, the focus will remain on guiding the side through a demanding multi-format contest while continuing to set new standards in consistency, leadership, and endurance.
Her 356th appearance is not merely a statistical feat it is a marker of how far Indian women’s cricket has come, and how central she has been to that journey.
