India’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has etched her name in the annals of cricket history by surpassing former Australia captain Meg Lanning to become the second-highest run-scorer in women’s T20 Internationals.
Harman achieved this landmark during the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 match against the UAE, where she played an impressive 66-run innings off 47 balls, boasting a strike rate of 140.43. This stellar performance elevated her T20I run tally to 3415, edging past Lanning’s 3405 runs. New Zealand’s Suzie Bates remains at the top of the chart with 4348 runs.
Harman’s achievement in the Asia Cup match not only advanced her position in the run-scoring charts but also marked the highest individual score by a captain in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. She surpassed former Pakistan cricketer Bismah Maroof’s record of 62 runs against Malaysia in 2018.
Match Recap
The match against the UAE saw India winning the toss and opting to bat first in Dambulla. Harman’s 66 runs, combined with Richa Ghosh’s explosive 64* off 29 balls, powered India to a formidable total of 201/5. Shafali Verma also contributed significantly with a brisk 37 off 18 balls. Kavisha Egodage led the UAE’s bowling attack, taking two wickets in her four-over spell.
In response, the UAE managed to score 127/7, falling short by 78 runs. Kavisha Egodage (40* off 32 balls) and skipper Esha Rohit Oza (38 off 36 balls) were the top performers for the UAE. Deepti Sharma led the Indian bowling attack, taking two wickets and helping defend the 202-run target successfully. Richa Ghosh’s outstanding performance earned her the ‘Player of the Match’ title.
Harmanpreet Kaur has been a cornerstone of the Indian women’s cricket team since her debut in 2009. Known for her aggressive batting style and leadership skills, Harman has played a crucial role in many of India’s significant victories. Her consistency and ability to perform under pressure have made her one of the most respected figures in women’s cricket globally.
Her journey to becoming the second-highest run-getter in women’s T20Is is a testament to her dedication and hard work. Harman has not only excelled in T20Is but also has impressive records in ODIs and Test cricket, making her a versatile and invaluable player for India.
As the Women’s Asia Cup progresses, Harman’s form will be pivotal for India’s success. Her recent performances indicate that she is at the peak of her career, and fans can expect more record-breaking innings from her. India’s chances in the tournament look promising with Harman leading from the front and a strong supporting cast of players like Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon and support honest and fearless journalism.
