Harmanpreet Kaur surpasses Meg Lanning’s record with a historic captaincy feat following T20I series triumph over Sri Lanka

India clinched a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20I at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on December 26, 2025, sealing the five-match series 3-0. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in history with this triumph, breaking Meg Lanning’s record as captain in Women’s T20Is. Shafali Verma’s explosive unbeaten 79 off 42 balls powered India to chase down 113 in just 13.2 overs, while bowlers Renuka Singh (4/21) and Deepti Sharma (3/18) dismantled Sri Lanka for 112/7.​

Harmanpreet Kaur creates history surpassing Meg Lanning’s record

Harmanpreet has now claimed the pinnacle of captaincy success in Women’s T20Is, securing 77 victories across 130 matches led, surpassing Australia’s trailblazing former captain Lanning’s mark of 76 wins in just 100 outings. This landmark achievement factors in super over triumphs, highlighting Kaur’s knack for delivering under pressure in the shortest format.​

Her record speaks volumes about remarkable longevity and resilience, as she has helmed India in more T20I games than any other player globally, while also accumulating 185 total appearances for the side – a testament to her enduring presence since breaking into the international scene in 2010.

The emphatic 3-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram not only sealed the rubber but also etched Kaur’s 16th victory against them – the most by any captain over a single opponent – underscoring her dominance in bilateral contests. This milestone arrives amid a stellar 2025 for the 36-year-old, who has revitalized her form with the bat and bolstered team morale, positioning India strongly for upcoming events.

All-time captaincy leaders in Women’s T20Is

Since taking over as India’s full-time T20I captain in 2016, Harmanpreet has maintained an impressive win percentage of 58.46, guiding the team through a sustained period of competitiveness. Under her leadership, India have regularly challenged the top sides and reached multiple World Cup semifinals, reflecting the stability and belief she has instilled in the squad.

England’s celebrated captains Heather Knight and Charlotte Edwards also feature prominently on the list, with Knight recording around 71-72 wins from 96 matches and Edwards ending with 68 victories in 93 games. While both have been influential figures for England, their numbers highlight the scale of Harmanpreet’s achievement in terms of both volume and efficiency.

This record-breaking run in 2025 has given Indian women’s cricket a timely boost, strengthening confidence and momentum as the team builds towards upcoming global tournament.

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.