Kaur, the current India captain, had made waves with her big-hitting in the 2007-08 Inter-Zone Under-19 One-Day Competition, with her uninhibited approach grabbing the attention of the selection committee. It helped her get an international call-up, and Kaur made her ODI debut in 2009, playing her first game against Pakistan in the World Cup, which was held in Australia.
She did not bat in the game and did not leave an impact in the second match against England either, making eight in 18 balls. However, she showed her true potential in the next clash, against Australia.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s monstrous hit against Australia
Walking in to bat at No.7 with the scoreboard reading 201-5 in the 47th over. India needed a strong finish and Kaur provided just that, making an unbeaten 19 in just eight balls with two fours and one straight six. The maximum made headlines: The fifth ball of the 48th over was a full toss by Ellyse Perry, which Kaur sent down and over the midwicket fence for a six. The hit smashed onto the roof of the ground in North Sydney Oval, leaving onlookers amazed at her skills. Various reports claimed it was the biggest six hit in women’s cricket, though there was no official confirmation of the same.
Chosen primarily for her 143* at Canterbury, Harmanpreet Kaur is the first India Women’s cricketer to be named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 18, 2023
She led India to their first ODI series victory in England since 1999, and won silver at the Commonwealth Games 👏#WisdenAwards pic.twitter.com/kM5PBktdjl
Kaur’s efforts helped India to a tight win over Australia, but the 19-year-old had to undergo a dope test, with the officials in disbelief over the power she generated. In an interview with The Times of India, Kaur relived the incident. “That six was the turning point [in her career]. No one believed a girl could hit a ball so high and far. There were apprehensions that I had taken energy-boosting drugs. I underwent a dope test but I came out clean.”
Not only did she have to undergo various tests, but Kaur’s bat was also sent to the laboratory for further checking. However, she was cleared of any misdoings.
Kaur has played 133 ODIs in her career thus far, making 3,565 runs at a strike rate of 73.65, the 12th best in the world among women batters who have batted in at least 100 innings. She has also hit 49 sixes, the fourth-highest, after Deandra Dottin (89), Sophie Devine (69) and Chamari Athapaththu (56).
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