Today, I step down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats. This is not an easy decision
wrote Harmanpreet Kaur, announcing an end to an era in which she became the team’s most influential leader and a household name.
A formal leadership change took place in Indian women’s cricket when 37-year-old Harmanpreet stepped down from her role across all three formats, with 30-year-old star opener and long-time deputy Smriti Mandhana appointed as India’s new captain across formats (Times of India). The transition follows a review meeting involving Harmanpreet, Mandhana, head coach Amol Muzumdar, and national selectors with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia (BBC News). While reports indicated Harmanpreet was initially willing to step down from T20 duties immediately while continuing in One-Day Internationals and Tests to assist younger players, the BCCI favored a younger leader at the helm (BBC News). Alternatively, other reports stated Harmanpreet was offered the option to continue as ODI captain but chose to relinquish leadership across all formats (Times of India).
Harmanpreet Leaves Captaincy After Leading India to Global Title
Harmanpreet’s departure from the captaincy closes a decade-long tenure in which she led India across five Tests, 51 ODIs, and 155 T20Is (Times of India). Her leadership highlights include guiding India to its first women’s global title at the 2025 ODI World Cup and defending the team’s Asian Games gold medal in Japan, with her final act as captain occurring at that triumph in Nisshin (Times of India). However, her future as captain had faced intense debate following India’s league-stage exit at the Women’s T20 World Cup in England, following a similar disappointment in the UAE, alongside a dip in her personal batting form (Times of India).
Opinion on the change was sharply divided among former players and captains (Yahoo Sports). Former cricketer Diana Edulji expressed support for the transition, stating that Harmanpreet had accomplished everything reasonably expected of her and that a younger captain should take over (Yahoo Sports). Harmanpreet stated she would continue playing as a team member, sharing in an emotional Instagram post that she was ready to play for the love of the game again
(Times of India).
The Road Ahead Under Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana steps into the role as the leading run-getter in women’s cricket across formats, boasting 11,066 runs in 308 matches, alongside 4,867 runs in 172 games in women’s T20Is (Times of India). Mandhana has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026, and previously stated in a July interview that she was ready for the national captaincy (Times of India).
In a BCCI statement addressing her new appointment, Mandhana remarked, I’d like to acknowledge Harmanpreet and the contribution she has made as captain over the years. She has led the team with great commitment and has been an important part of our journey. I understand the responsibility that comes with the role
(Times of India). The newly appointed captain and team leadership now look ahead to preparations for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in India next February (Times of India).