Harmanpreet Kaur delivered an exceptional performance during India's group match against Sri Lanka in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday, October 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Her blistering innings of 52 runs off just 27 balls was instrumental in setting a formidable total for India, who finished their innings at 172 runs for the loss of three wickets. From the very first ball, Harmanpreet displayed her aggressive batting style, striking eight fours and a six, demonstrating her dominance over the Sri Lankan bowlers. She achieved her fastest fifty in T20 internationals, reaching the milestone in just 27 balls, underscoring her status as one of the most powerful hitters in women's cricket, particularly in the T20 format.
With this innings, she became the third woman in cricket history, following New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and India’s Smriti Mandhana, to surpass 3,500 runs in Women’s T20Is. Harmanpreet's milestone reinforces her consistency and skill over her career, having played 176 T20I matches to date. In those matches, she has accumulated 3,522 runs at an average of 28.63 and a strike rate of 108.13, which includes one hundred and 13 fifties. Her remarkable innings not only highlighted her individual prowess but also set a new benchmark for the fastest fifty by an Indian woman in the Women’s T20 World Cup, eclipsing Smriti Mandhana’s previous record of 31 balls, which she set against Australia in 2018.
Harmanpreet's previous fastest fifties included 32 balls against Australia in Cape Town in 2023 and 33 balls against New Zealand in Guyana in 2018. Despite facing challenges in previous matches—where she struggled against New Zealand and tweaked her neck against Pakistan, almost sidelining her for the game against Sri Lanka—Harmanpreet bounced back with her impressive performance, showcasing her resilience and commitment to the team.
After opting to bat first, India was initially anchored by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who set up a solid foundation with a 98-run opening partnership in just 12.4 overs. However, the team lost both openers in quick succession, leading to increased pressure on the middle order. Coming in at No. 3, Harmanpreet took charge and continued to attack, ensuring that India maintained momentum throughout their innings.
Her explosive knock not only propelled India to a significant score but also marked the team's second-highest total in Women’s T20 World Cup history, just shy of the 194 for five they posted against New Zealand in 2018 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. As the tournament progresses, Harmanpreet’s performance against Sri Lanka will surely be remembered as a pivotal moment, not just for its statistical achievements but for the sheer impact it had on India's campaign in the World Cup.
Her ability to adapt and perform under pressure, coupled with her remarkable skill set, continues to solidify her position as one of the leading figures in women's cricket. As fans and cricket enthusiasts around the world look forward to the remaining matches, there is a palpable excitement surrounding Harmanpreet’s potential to lead India to victory and further etch her name in the annals of cricket history. Her contributions go beyond mere numbers; they inspire a generation of young cricketers aspiring to achieve greatness on the international stage, making her one of the most influential players in the sport today.
