Eight years ago, Harmanpreet Kaur produced an innings that changed the trajectory of Indian women’s cricket an unbeaten 171* against Australia in the semi-final of the 2017 World Cup at Derby.
It wasn’t just a knock; it became an emblem of belief, aggression, and fearless cricket. Now, eight years later, on English soil once again, the captain has reminded everyone why she still stands tall as the heartbeat of this team.
On this tour, India Women scripted history by winning both the T20I series (3-2) and the ODI series (2-1) against England something that had never been done before by an Indian women’s side on English soil. But beyond the team triumph, it was Harmanpreet Kaur’s return to form marked by a superb century that defined the spirit and story of this series.
A Century That Spoke Louder Than Words
The decider demanded something special. Batting first against a disciplined English attack, India needed an anchor and an aggressor rolled into one. Harmanpreet, who had struggled for runs on this tour, walked in carrying the weight of her team’s expectations and her own recent failures. She started slowly 0 off her first 10 balls hinting at caution, perhaps nerves, or maybe just patience.
Then came the turn. The captain switched gears, launching drives, pulls, and sweeps with authority. What followed was a sublime innings of 102 off 84 balls, the second-fastest ODI century by an Indian woman, and a knock that turned a tense decider into a statement of intent.
By the time Harmanpreet reached her hundred, the scoreboard read 318/5 India’s eighth 300-plus total since January 2024 and the match was effectively out of England’s reach. India bowled England out for 305 to seal a 13-run win and clinch the series 2-1.
Numbers, Records, and Rare Company
This wasn’t just another century. It was her seventh in ODIs, making her the joint second-highest century scorer for India alongside Mithali Raj, only behind Smriti Mandhana’s 13.
But what sets Harmanpreet apart is where she scores her runs. All seven of her hundreds have come batting at No. 4 or lower — a position often reserved for finishers and where centuries are rare. In fact, Jemimah Rodrigues is the only other Indian woman to have scored even two ODI hundreds outside the top three. No one else has even one.
And then there’s her love affair with England:
- Harmanpreet is now the first visiting batter ever to score three women’s ODI hundreds on English soil.
- Her previous knocks: the iconic 171* in 2017 and a masterful 143* on the last tour.
- Only Mithali Raj (India) and Meg Lanning (Australia) have managed multiple ODI centuries in England as visitors; neither reached three.
Add to that: she has scored hundreds against every major opponent 3 vs England, and one each vs Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, and Bangladesh.
Beyond Numbers: The Timing of a Statement
Before this decider, Harmanpreet’s tour had been underwhelming: just 89 runs in her last six international innings combined. Questions had begun to surface: was the captain out of touch? Could India post big totals if their middle order didn’t fire?
Her response: a century in a high-pressure decider and doing it by overcoming a slow start and accelerating brilliantly, proving she still has the power to change matches single-handedly.
What makes it more special is that this wasn’t an innings built in ideal conditions. England’s attack was disciplined, and the pressure of a series decider on foreign soil is something that can stifle even the best. Harmanpreet not only absorbed the pressure but turned it into a platform for dominance.
A Team Effort That Made History
While Harmanpreet’s century was the highlight, this tour was about more than just one knock.
India Women won the T20I series 3-2, showing their growing depth in the shortest format. Young talents like Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh stood up when needed, while the experienced Smriti Mandhana provided stability at the top.
Then, in the ODIs, India showed maturity and balance. Kranti Goud, playing just her fourth ODI, produced a composed performance in the decider, complementing Harmanpreet’s brilliance. Jemimah Rodrigues’ fifty and Richa Ghosh’s late cameo ensured India crossed the crucial 300 mark.
Bowling too played its part: the ability to defend totals, hold nerves in crunch moments, and deliver breakthroughs just when needed.
A Tour of Firsts and Milestones
This tour will be remembered for:
First time India Women have won both T20I and ODI series on the same England tour.
Harmanpreet becoming the first visiting batter to score three ODI centuries in England.
India Women posting multiple 300+ totals in the same calendar year.
These aren’t just statistics; they are signs of a team that is no longer content with just competing overseas they aim to dominate.
The Legacy of Harmanpreet Kaur
This century reaffirmed what many have long known: when Harmanpreet Kaur gets going, few can match her impact. Her ability to turn a tense match into a statement victory remains unmatched in Indian women’s cricket.
She is still the only Indian to score more than five ODI hundreds batting outside the top three, and at 35, continues to redefine what longevity and adaptability look like.
It’s also a reminder that form is temporary, but class especially of a player who has carried a generation on her shoulders remains permanent.
Eight years after her unforgettable Derby innings, Harmanpreet Kaur delivered another masterpiece in England different context, different attack, but the same defiance and brilliance.
More than a hundred, it was a reminder: of resilience, leadership, and the unmatched ability to rise just when her team needed it most.
The Women in Blue leave England not just with trophies, but with history rewritten led by the icon of Indian women’s cricket, still scripting new chapters, still inspiring millions. 🇮🇳💙
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