India, Dec 27 : Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur scripted history on Saturday by becoming the most successful skipper in women’s T20I cricket, overtaking Australian legend Meg Lanning in terms of most wins as captain.
Harmanpreet reached the landmark during the third T20I against Sri Lanka, where India sealed the five-match series 3-0 with a dominant eight wicket victory at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The match was also notable as the venue hosted its first ever women’s international fixture.
With this triumph, Harmanpreet now has 77 wins in 130 T20Is as captain, with a win percentage of 58.46, surpassing Lanning’s tally of 76 victories from 100 matches. The Indian skipper’s record also includes 48 losses and five no results.
On the field, Harmanpreet contributed a steady 21 off 18 balls, while opener Shafali Verma continued her scintillating form with an unbeaten 79 off just 42 deliveries, laced with 11 fours and three sixes. It was Shafali’s second consecutive half-century, taking her tally to 333 runs in eight T20Is this year at an impressive average of 55.50 and a strike rate exceeding 173.
Earlier, India’s bowlers set up the win after opting to field. Sri Lanka were restricted to 112/7 in 20 overs, with Imesha Dulani (27), Hasini Perera (25) and Kavisha Dilhari (20) offering brief resistance. Renuka Singh starred with the ball, claiming four wickets for 21 runs.
Deepti Sharma creates history
Spin all rounder Deepti Sharma further embellished India’s dominant outing by becoming the first Indian across men’s and women’s cricket to take 150 T20I wickets. Her figures of 3/18 took her tally to 151 wickets, drawing her level with Australia’s Megan Schutt as the joint highest wicket taker in women’s T20Is. Deepti also moved past Ellyse Perry to become the third highest wicket taker in women’s international cricket overall.
Chasing a modest target, India wrapped up the match in just 13.2 overs, riding on Shafali’s explosive knock and calm support from the captain.
Already the leader who guided India to their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, Harmanpreet Kaur will now set her sights on another landmark achievement steering India to their first Women’s T20 World Cup crown, scheduled to be held in the UK next year.