Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name deeper into cricketing history on February 19 by becoming the most-capped woman to ever play international cricket, a landmark that underlines her longevity, leadership and enduring impact on the women’s game.
Kaur reached the historic milestone during India’s T20I clash against Australia on February 19, 2026, making her 356th international appearance for India and moving past New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who previously held the record with 355 caps.
Since making her international debut in 2009, the 36-year-old has been a constant presence in Indian colours, featuring across all three formats. She has now represented India in six Tests, 161 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 189 T20 Internationals (T20Is), a testament to her adaptability and sustained performance over nearly two decades at the highest level.
Bates, two years older than Kaur, last turned out for New Zealand during the ODI World Cup in October, where she made her 355th international appearance. With Kaur continuing to lead from the front, the Indian skipper has now claimed the outright record in women’s international cricket.
In the broader context of the game, the overall record for most international appearances remains with India legend Sachin Tendulkar, who featured 664 times for India across formats in men’s cricket.
Kaur’s milestone is backed by significant individual achievements. Over the course of her career, she has scored eight international centuries and 38 half-centuries, often delivering in high-pressure moments. Beyond the numbers, her leadership has been equally influential, most notably when she captained India to their first-ever Women’s World Cup title on home soil in November, a defining moment for Indian women’s cricket.
India head coach Amol Muzumdar hailed the achievement, acknowledging both Kaur’s contribution and her place in the sport’s history. “Harman has been a special player for India. I want to congratulate her for the massive achievement of being the highest-capped women’s player in the history of the game,” India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar told reporters in Canberra post 2nd T20I.
Despite the celebratory milestone, the match itself ended in disappointment for India. Kaur top-scored for her side with 36 runs, but India fell short against Australia, losing by 19 runs. The result levelled the three-match T20I series, setting up a decisive final encounter on February 21.
Even in defeat, Kaur’s presence remained central, steadying the innings and leading by example on a night that further cemented her legacy. As Indian cricket continues to grow in stature globally, Harmanpreet Kaur’s record-breaking journey stands as a powerful symbol of consistency, resilience and trailblazing leadership in women’s cricket.
