There are times when records are broken quietly, without drama, simply because someone keeps showing up and doing the job year after year. Harmanpreet Kaur did exactly that on Friday in Trivandrum, when she led India to yet another win and in the process, etched her name into the history books of women’s T20 cricket.
India’s eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka not only sealed the series but also made Harmanpreet Kaur the most successful captain in Women’s T20 Internationals. With this win, she went past a long-standing mark set by an Australian great Meg Lanning, becoming the first captain to lead a team to 77 T20I victories. While it took her more matches to reach the milestone, the achievement reflects her long career, consistency and the responsibility she has carried through years of transition in the Indian side.
The match itself followed a familiar pattern for the series. Sri Lanka started with intent but India’s bowlers quickly shifted the momentum. A key breakthrough in the powerplay set the tone and the pressure only increased from there. Renuka Singh Thakur made a strong impact with the ball on her return, while Deepti Sharma once again proved her value by picking up crucial wickets and keeping the scoring in check. Sri Lanka never truly recovered and were held to a modest total.
Chasing the target, team India looked in complete control from the start. Shafali Verma played with freedom and confidence, attacking the bowlers and taking the game away early. Her unbeaten knock ensured there were no nervous moments, even as Sri Lanka tried briefly to fight back. India crossed the line comfortably, completing a clean sweep of the series.
After the match, Harmanpreet Kaur spoke about the team’s mindset and growth. She reflected on how the squad had focused on improving standards and becoming more aggressive, especially with major tournaments ahead. She also made it clear that the bowlers had been central to India’s success, praising their consistency and impact throughout the series.
For Harmanpreet Kaur, the record is special but the bigger story remains India’s steady rise – built on leadership, belief and a team that continues to move forward together.
