Who Is Harleen Deol, the Cricketer Who Asked PM Narendra Modi About His Skincare Routine?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s Women’s World Cup-winning cricket team on Thursday, praising the players for their stellar achievement and calling them an inspiration for young girls across the nation.

The meeting took a cheerful turn when Harleen Deol, India’s stylish all-rounder, asked the Prime Minister a light-hearted yet unexpected question:

“Sir, what’s your skincare routine?”

Her spontaneous query made everyone laugh. Responding with a smile, PM Modi said:

“I don’t really look at myself in the mirror. As Sneha Rana mentioned, the love and blessings of crores of Indians give me the strength you see on my face.”

He further added,

“It’s been 25 years since I began serving in public life. The people’s love and blessings give me immense strength — that’s what keeps me going.”

Team coach Amol Muzumdar also joined the fun, joking,

“It’s been just two years since I took over as coach, and my hair has already turned grey!”

The Lively Heart of the Team

When PM Modi asked which player keeps the team cheerful, pacer Kranti Gaud named Jemimah Rodrigues, who instantly pointed back to Harleen Deol.

“Harleen plays a huge role in keeping the team together,” Jemimah said.

Harleen responded with her trademark smile:

“Every team needs someone to lighten the atmosphere. I love talking to everyone — when the people around me are happy, I feel happy too.”

When PM Modi jokingly asked if they had any fun moments during their stay, Harleen laughed and said,

“We were told to stay quiet after coming here… but I still had to ask about your skincare glow!”

PM Modi Recalls Her Iconic Catch

Later, the conversation turned toward fielding. PM Modi said,

“One of your catches had gone viral — I even retweeted that video.”

The Prime Minister was referring to Harleen’s stunning boundary catch during the 2021 England series, a moment that became viral worldwide.

Recalling it, Harleen said,

“I had actually dropped a catch a few minutes earlier, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur had yelled at me. Jemimah told me not to worry — she said I could take a brilliant one next. Two overs later, the ball came my way and I grabbed it!”

PM Modi praised her moment as a ‘challenge turned into a miracle.’

Harleen Deol: India’s Energetic All-Rounder

At 27, Harleen Deol has earned recognition as one of India’s most dynamic cricketers — a middle-order batter who can also bowl handy leg-spin.

After strong domestic performances, she made her international debut when Harmanpreet Kaur was injured. She later impressed in the T20 Challenge, showcasing her powerful batting skills.

Her viral 2021 England catch established her as a fan favorite, but frequent batting-order changes affected her consistency.

Last year, Harleen made a comeback with a century against West Indies in Baroda, batting at No. 3. In the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Gujarat Giants signed her for ₹40 lakh.

During the recent World Cup, Harleen scored 48 against Sri Lanka, 46 against Pakistan, 13 versus South Africa, 38 versus Australia, and 24 against England before missing later matches in the tournament.