Harmanpreet Kaur Becomes First Indian To Play 100 Twenty20 Internationals

Harmanpreet Kaur, India's captain in the shortest format, became the first Indian cricketer to play 100 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) as she took the field against South Africa in Surat on Friday. Harmanpreet Kaur achieved this milestone before MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, who have played 98 T20Is for India. Harmanpreet Kaur made her debut against England in Taunton back in June 2009. The all-rounder has taken 27 wickets and scored 2,003 runs at an average of 28.61 so far in T20Is. The Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) took to Twitter to post a video where head coach of the team WV Raman presented a special cap to the Indian skipper to congratulate her on the achievement.

A special cap for captain @ImHarmanpreet to mark her 100th T20I for #TeamIndia #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Sp6KFUca9o

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 4, 2019

"A special cap for captain @ImHarmanpreet to mark her 100th T20I for #TeamIndia #INDvSA," the tweet read.

In the series, India produced a clinical performance to take an unassailable lead of 3-0 in the six-match series. India won the first match after which the next two matches were washed out due to rain in Surat.

The fourth T20I also started late due to inclement weather and was reduced to 17-over per side game. India won that match comfortably by 51 runs. 

On Thursday, India were in trouble chasing a small total of 99. At one stage, the hosts were 29 for three but Harmanpreet Kaur showed composure in the middle and remained unbeaten on 34 to take India across the line against South Africa.

The Indian captain was exceptional with the ball as well as she bowled three overs for just 13 runs and took an important wicket of Laura Wolvaardt, who was looking dangerous at one stage.

For her all-round brilliance, Harmanpreet Kaur was adjudged player of the match in the fifth T20I.

Topics mentioned in this article

India Women South Africa Women Harmanpreet Kaur Rohit Sharma MS Dhoni Cricket