Top 10 Famous Female Cricketers of India All Time

Propelled by several famous female cricketers of India whose achievements are impossible to ignore, the Indian women’s team have emerged as a global powerhouse. Mithali Raj, the Queen of Indian cricket, has set a benchmark with her consistent performances and calm leadership. Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive 171 in the 2017 World Cup semi-final remains iconic, while her rise as the first Indian woman to play 100 T20Is reflects the growing popularity of women cricketers in India. Smriti Mandhana, another star, became the youngest Indian woman to score an ODI century overseas at just 19. India’s women cricketers drew record crowds at the 2020 T20 World Cup final, playing in front of over 86,000 fans at the MCG.

Many sports have their superstars, but the craze for the famous female cricketers of India is on a sharp rise, captivating millions across the country. In this article, we will learn more about the most famous women cricketer in India all time.

Famous Female Cricketers in India All Time

Cricket in India has always been larger than life, and now, famous female cricketers of India are taking their rightful place at the centre of it. ​From viral sixes to World Cup-defining knocks, these women's stars are shifting the spotlight with every game. Their presence is no longer a novelty. It has become a norm. And as their influence grows, so does the realisation that they’re not just part of the conversation anymore, they’re shaping where it goes next. They now tread toe-to-toe with the most famous men's cricketers in the world. The table mentioned below will give us a comprehensive look at the top Indian women cricketers.

Who is the Most Famous Female Cricketer in India of All Time?

There are a number of outstanding athletes who have risen to become top Indian women cricketers, but only a select few have truly captivated the imagination and loyalty of fans across India and the world. Thanks to a blend of world-class performances and a powerhouse social media presence, the most famous female cricketers of India now enjoy remarkable followings, both online and in stadiums. It’s no surprise, then, that this list is primarily made up of popular women cricketers in India, given the country’s deep-rooted cricketing culture and passion for the game. The Top 10 most famous female cricketers of India are as follows:

10. Shubhangi Kulkarni | India

Shubhangi Kulkarni is a former Indian cricketer who hails from Pune, Maharashtra. She was a renowned figure during the 1980s and 1990s. She, famously, led the Indian women's cricket team to the Women's World Cup trophy win in 1978. Aside from her contributions as a leader, Shubhangi produced some staggering figures with her bat. While she retired from the sport, Shubhangi remained active in other aspects, such as managing the Women's Cricket Association of India as the secretary.

9. Neetu David | India

A formidable left-arm spinner in her prime, Neetu David was born on August 18, 1975. She debuted for India in 1995, consistently troubling batters with her sharp turns in women's matches. Her contributions weren't just seen on the field. Off it, she served as the Chairperson for the women's selection committee. She played a huge role in identifying and nurturing young talents, establishing her name as one known and respected throughout the country.

8. Shikha Pandey | India

Indian cricketer Shikha Pandey is a medium-fast bowler who has been extremely important for the national women's team. Born in 1989, Shikha developed an early knack for the sport. She eventually made her debut for Indian in 2014 and soon built a reputation for her ability to swing the ball both ways. She was also the leading wicket-taker for India during the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

7. Anjum Chopra | India

One of the pioneers in Indian women's cricket, Anjum Chopra, was born on May 20, 1977. She was one of the first female Indian cricketers to make a mark on the international stage. Anjum was widely known for her elegant strokeplay. She was a consistent performer for India, playing a crucial role in their success in the early 2000s. Anjum was also the first female Indian cricketer to smash a Test century.

6. Jhulan Goswami | India

Jhulan Goswami stands as the world’s most prolific ODI bowler, with a record 255 wickets in 204 ODIs. Her career (2002-2022) saw her play over 250 internationals and dominate with pace, bounce, and unyielding consistency. Revered as a mentor and a leader, she has 387.2K followers (294K on Instagram, 93.2K on X), and her achievements paved the way for future generations. Being one of the most famous female cricketers of India, she champions the game both on and off the field. Aside from her legendary status, she is also one of the most popular women cricketers in India.

5. Shafali Verma | India

Shafali Verma burst onto the international stage at just 15, quickly becoming one of cricket’s most explosive batters. She was the youngest Indian (male or female) to play all three formats, and already has several T20I fifties and a century to her name. Her fearless approach in T20Is cemented her as a household name, and she has 696K followers (607K on Instagram, 89K on X), reflecting her broad appeal. Shafali Verma, known for her aggressive batting, has consistently provided quick starts for Delhi Capitals in the WPL. Her highest score in the tournament came with a powerful 90 against Gujarat Giants in WPL 2024.

4. Veda Krishnamurthy | India

A dynamic middle-order batter, Veda Krishnamurthy was born on October 16, 1992. She broke into the international cricket scene in the early 2010s, building a reputation for her aggressive batting approach. She could change her innings' pace and score runs at a super-fast rate. Krishnamurthy was a rare type of batter who changed the limits of Indian cricket through her athleticism and all-around skills. She also gained significant fame on social media platforms.

3. Mithali Raj | India

Mithali Raj, India’s greatest women's cricketer, ended her remarkable career as the most-capped Indian woman, playing 333 international matches over more than two decades. She debuted in 1999, scored an iconic 214 in Tests, and became the only woman to surpass 7,000 runs in ODIs. The huge tally of ODI runs is among Mithali Raj famous records. Her total tally exceeds 10,000 international runs, the highest for any woman globally. Other Mithali Raj famous records include two ICC ODI World Cup finals (2005, 2017), where she set new benchmarks for batting consistency and captaincy.

2. Harmanpreet Kaur | India

Harmanpreet Kaur is India’s fiery leader and an icon of the modern era. She boasts over 300 international caps and electrified the world with her 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal, a knock ranked among the greatest ever. The first Indian woman to reach 100 T20Is, Kaur blends powerful batting with clever off-spin, vital to India’s T20 and ODI campaigns. She enjoys a loyal online following of 2.8 million total followers (2.3 million on Instagram, 496.7K on X), reflecting her superstar impact. Harmanpreet Kaur captained the Mumbai Indians to two WPL titles. In WPL 2024, she scored an unbeaten 95 off 48 balls against Gujarat Giants, the highest by an Indian player in the league. Her 66 off 44 balls in the WPL 2025 final helped MI secure their second title. She finished WPL 2025 with 302 runs at a striking strike rate of 155.

1. Smriti Mandhana | India

Smriti Mandhana has redefined elegance with her left-handed strokeplay and flair. Making her debut in 2013, she is already past the 4,500 run mark in internationals with a Test average over 57 and a sensational ODI career. Mandhana's presence on and off the field has won her 13.4 million total followers (12.4 million on Instagram, 1 million on X), making her India’s most-followed active woman cricketer. She has won multiple ICC awards and is a youth sensation, regularly starring in WPL and for Team India. Smriti Mandhana leads Royal Challengers Bangalore. While she hasn't recorded a WPL century, her strong performances at the top of the order have been crucial for her team. She has a century in the WBBL with her highest score being 114*. Smriti remains one of the most famous women cricketer in India all time.

How We Analyse the Most Famous Female Cricketers of India All Time - Major Facts

Ranking the most famous female cricketers of India involves considering multiple factors that highlight both their on-field achievements and off-field influence. Additionally, their social media popularity reflects their impact beyond just cricket statistics, showcasing how they connect with fans worldwide. To provide a comprehensive and balanced ranking, the following key criteria were taken into account:

• Social Media Popularity: Ranked based on total followers across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and other platforms to capture their popularity and fan engagement, reflecting modern-day impact and visibility.
• International Career Performance: We evaluated based on career statistics, including runs scored, wickets taken, matches played, and notable records across formats (Test, ODI, T20I) supported by ICC player rankings and historical records.
• Impactful and Memorable Performances: Considered landmark innings or bowling spells that changed matches and tournaments, such as Harmanpreet Kaur’s 171* in the 2017 World Cup semifinal or Mithali Raj’s highest run-scoring accolades.
• Leadership and Consistency: We factored in captaincy stints, longevity in international cricket, and consistency in performances over the years, e.g., Mithali Raj’s long career and Jhulan Goswami’s sustained wicket-taking ability.
• Contribution to Domestic and Franchise Cricket (WPL): We have included their performances and influence in the Women’s Premier League, which has become critical in shaping current visibility and fan bases for female cricketers in India.