Sportskeeda's Indian Sportsperson of the Year 2016 – No. 25 to No. 16

#23 Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur was the most impressive Indian women’s cricketer this year

The Indian women’s cricket team had a topsy-turvy year. While they managed to secure many memorable victories, the disappointing outcome at the World T20 Championship at home is a blip that tends to overshadow all their successes. Nevertheless, they ended the year on a high by winning the Asia Cup after defeating archenemies Pakistan in the final.

The standout performer for India of 2016 was all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur. She scored 202 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 25.25 and picked up two wickets. In T20Is she had a much better outing, scoring 426 runs in 15 matches at an average of 38.72 and took 10 wickets.

Kaur helped India to a series win in Australia scoring 31-ball 46 in India’s highest ever run chase in T20Is. She was also stellar in the World T20 Championship scoring 89 runs and taking 7 wickets in four matches. In June, she became the first Indian to be signed on by a Women’s Big Bash League side when Sydney thunders signed her.

Recently, she was handed over the T20I captaincy. Kaur repaid the faith bestowed upon her by the selectors by leading India to their sixth Asia Cup title. Her performances over the year see her place at 23^rd on this list.