Indian Women’s Cricket: Icons Who Redefined the Game
Indian women’s cricket has witnessed remarkable growth and success over the past two decades, driven by a core group of exceptional players who have set new standards in international cricket. Among these trailblazers, five cricketers stand out for their longevity, consistency, and impact across all formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jhulan Goswami, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma have not only amassed the highest number of international caps for India but have also played pivotal roles in elevating Indian women’s cricket on the global stage. Their careers reflect a blend of experience, skill, and leadership, inspiring a new generation of cricketers and fans alike.
Let’s now take a closer look at these remarkable players and their journeys in international cricket.
Mithali Raj: The Trailblazer
Mithali Raj is the most-capped Indian woman cricketer, having played 333 international matches across all formats. She stands as a towering figure in Indian and world women’s cricket, recognized for her prolific run-scoring and leadership. She made her international debut at the age of 16, playing her first ODI against Ireland on 26 June 1999. Her Test debut followed in 2002 against England, where she instantly made an impact by scoring a world-record 214 in just her third match—becoming the highest individual scorer in women’s Tests at that time.
Raj’s T20I debut came in 2006, and she was a key part of India’s first-ever women’s T20I. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Mithali accumulated a record number of runs, becoming the only female cricketer to surpass 7,000 runs in Women’s ODIs and the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket overall, with more than 10,000 runs across formats. She captained India to two ICC ODI World Cup finals (2005 and 2017), a feat unmatched by any other Indian woman cricketer, and led the team through numerous historic wins.
Mithali Raj retired from T20Is in September 2019 and from all forms of international cricket on 8 June 2022, ending her career as one of the game’s greatest icons.
Harmanpreet Kaur: The Powerhouse Leader
Harmanpreet Kaur is India’s most-capped active player, with a total of 332 matches played for India across formats. Kaur is set to surpass former Indian captain Mithali Raj (333 caps) by the end of the ongoing T20I series against England.
Kaur, the current captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, made her international debut in an ODI against Pakistan on 7 March 2009. She quickly established herself as a dynamic all-rounder, debuting in T20Is later the same year and in Tests in 2014. Harmanpreet is renowned for her explosive batting—most notably her unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final, which is considered one of the greatest innings in women’s cricket. She is the first Indian woman to score a T20I century and has led the team in all formats.
As of July 2025, Harmanpreet remains active and continues to be a central figure in Indian cricket.
Jhulan Goswami: The Bowling Legend
Jhulan Goswami, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in women’s cricket, debuted in both ODIs and Tests in January 2002 against England. She also played her first T20I in 2006. Goswami became the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, with a total tally of 255 ODI wickets. She is known for her pace, accuracy, and longevity.
Her international career spanned two decades, during which she played over 200 ODIs and was a crucial part of India’s bowling attack in every format. Jhulan retired from international cricket after her last ODI at Lord’s against England on 24 September 2022. She retired with 204 ODI caps and a total of 284 international matches across all formats.
Smriti Mandhana: The Elegant Stroke-Maker
Smriti Mandhana, a left-handed opener celebrated for her elegant stroke play, made her ODI and T20I debuts against Bangladesh in April 2013, and her Test debut against England in August 2014. Mandhana quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the fastest Indian women to reach 2,000 ODI runs and earning the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award twice.
She is also among the top 7 most-capped players in Women’s T20Is and is a vital part of this Indian unit. In June 2025, Mandhana became the first Indian player in women’s cricket to score a century across all formats, joining an elite list of players globally.
She has been a mainstay at the top of the order and continues to represent India across all formats, having already played 260 matches.
Deepti Sharma: The Consistent All-Rounder
Deepti Sharma, an all-rounder known for her versatility and consistency, debuted in ODIs against South Africa in November 2014, in T20Is against Australia in January 2016, and in Tests in June 2021 against England.
She has made significant contributions with both bat and ball, including being part of the record ODI partnership of 188 runs for the second wicket. Deepti, being a genuine all-rounder, has been impressive in both departments of the game. She has scored 3,712 runs across all formats and picked up 299 wickets—just one short of the 300 international wickets milestone.
She remains an integral part of the Indian team in all formats as of July 2025 and has already played 238 games, making her the fifth most-capped player for India.
A Legacy of Excellence and Inspiration
The enduring achievements of Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jhulan Goswami, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma have not only shaped the course of Indian women’s cricket but have also left a lasting legacy for the sport globally. Their commitment, resilience, and excellence across formats have set benchmarks for future generations, ensuring that Indian women’s cricket continues to grow in stature and popularity.
As these players inspire young talent and expand the sport’s reach, their stories remain central to the narrative of women’s cricket—reflecting both the progress made and the promise that lies ahead.
