Jaipur, November 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has joined cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, with her wax statue unveiled at a ceremony at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur on Friday.
Created by the Historica Museum, the figure is described by organisers as the world’s first wax statue of a female cricketer. It will be permanently displayed at the ‘Historica: Step into History’ museum at Nahargarh Fort.
Reflecting on her career, Harmanpreet said her memorable 171-run innings played a major role in changing public perception of women’s cricket in India. She pointed to the growing popularity of the women’s game, with stadiums attracting larger crowds and more women coming forward to support the national team.
Comparing the impact of the women’s team’s World Cup success with India’s historic 1983 men’s World Cup triumph, she said the achievement had transformed the landscape of women’s cricket.
“This is just the beginning. Women’s cricket will reach even greater heights in the coming years,” she said.
Recalling the World Cup triumph at Lord’s, Harmanpreet described lifting the trophy as one of the most unforgettable moments of her life. She said the victory represented the collective dream and unity of the entire team.
The ceremony also featured a special welcome by young aspiring cricketers from Jaipur, who presented a guard of honour with their bats raised. Harmanpreet interacted with the youngsters, posed for photographs and encouraged them to pursue their sporting ambitions with dedication.
Calling the wax statue an emotional milestone, she said seeing herself displayed alongside the cricketing icons she had admired while growing up brought back memories of her early struggles and years of perseverance. She also appreciated the museum team and sculptors for their detailed work, which involved measurements, photographs and video recordings to create an accurate likeness.
Harmanpreet stressed the importance of developing grassroots cricket, saying villages and small towns across India have immense sporting potential. Drawing on her own background, she called for greater encouragement and better infrastructure for aspiring female cricketers in rural areas.
She added that initiatives by state cricket associations and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with an almost year-round cricket calendar, were creating stronger opportunities for emerging players to pursue professional careers.
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