All you need to know about cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur

It's not just the boys in blue that create history on the cricket field anymore. In the midst of all the action and excitement of the Women's WT20 championship and India's massive win over Bangladesh, a star emerged in the Indian cricket team.  Harmanpreet Kaur brought the Chinawamy alive as she smashed 40 runs off just 29 balls, in India's emphatic 72 run victory. The 27 year old all rounder has been slowly and steadily coming out of the shadows of captain Mithali Raj, performing consistently in major tournaments ever since her one day debut in 2009.

Harmanpreet Kaur (Pic By Yespunjab)

It's worth knowing a few home truths about this power packed performer:

• Harmanpreet Kaur or Harry as she is also known,  first represented India in the 2009 ICC World Cup in Australia.

• Harry was obsessed with cricket from early childhood, and there was never a doubt in her mind that she wanted to represent India in this sport. What acted in her favor was the fact that her parents were supportive of her decision and provided her the necessary support for her to build her career.

• Kaur’s father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar’s was a club cricketer himself and his passion and motivation egged her on in the pursuit of her dream.However, it was Kamaldish Singh Sodhi, owner of  Moga's premier cricket academy,who spotted her playing gully cricket and ended up taking care of her tuition fees, commute, cricket academy fees, shoes, and cricket kit.

• Harmapreet initially started playing in Punjab Cricket Association camps as an all-round performer for the Ferozpur district team. Within two years she was in the running for Punjab's senior team. However a lack of vacancy meant that she had to continue in the Under 19 team for another year. The team beat Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana which helped her gain entry into the North Zone team. A great performance in the Under 19 Challenger Trophy propelled her to the NCA facility in Bangalore where she trained with 29 other participants for a spot in India's senior squad for the 2009 Women's World Twenty20.

• Her first major achievement came in the  in the first T20I against Australia, at Adelaide in January 2016. A well crafted 46 helped India securing an early lead in the three-match series. Moreover she turned out to be the best bat for India in the series with 70 runs in two games.

• She has so far has played total 55 ODI and 58 Twenty20 matches.

• Her role model is cricketer Ajinkya Rahane.

• Beside cricket, Harry loves to play football.

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