Harmanpreet Kaur scripts T20 cricket history, becomes first to captain in 150 internationals

Harmanpreet Kaur added another landmark to her long international career on Saturday, becoming the first cricketer, across men's and women's cricket, to captain a team in 150 T20 Internationals. She reached the milestone during India's Women's Asia Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan.

The achievement further underlines her longevity as India's T20I captain, with no player from either the men's or women's game having previously reached 150 matches as skipper.

From a stand-in captain to a record-breaker

Harmanpreet's first assignment as captain also came against Pakistan. She led India in the final of the Women's Asia Cup in October 2012 after regular captain Mithali Raj and vice-captain Jhulan Goswami were ruled out with injuries.

India won that match by 18 runs despite being bowled out for just 81. Harmanpreet later became India's regular T20I captain in October 2016 and guided the team to the Women's Asia Cup title that year.

Her 150 matches as captain puts her well ahead of the next Indian women's captain on the list. Mithali led India in 32 T20Is, while former India men's captain MS Dhoni is next overall with 72 matches.

Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu, with 121 matches as captain, is second among women's T20I captains.

86 wins and several other records

Going into Saturday's Pakistan game, Harmanpreet had led India to 86 wins and 57 defeats, along with one tie. Her win percentage stood at 57.33 per cent.

The 37-year-old has collected several other milestones this year. Earlier, she became the most-capped international player in women's cricket when she played her 356th match, moving past New Zealand's Suzie Bates. She also became the first captain to score 3,000 T20I runs.

Last year, Harmanpreet became the first Indian captain to win the Women's World Cup.

India already through to semifinals

India entered the Pakistan match having already secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 Women's Asia Cup. They had beaten Thailand by 94 runs and Hong Kong by 137 runs.

India are seeking to reclaim the title after Sri Lanka beat them by eight wickets in the 2024 final. India won the tournament's first six editions between 2004 and 2016, then lifted the trophy again in 2022 before Sri Lanka ended their reign in the previous edition.