Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women's Cricket Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur has relinquished the captaincy of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats, concluding an era marked by significant achievements and a profound impact on the sport in India. Smriti Mandhana, her long-time deputy, has been appointed as the new captain. The decision was ratified during a review meeting attended by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia, coach Amol Muzumdar, and the two players.

Kaur's departure from the captaincy follows recent victories in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games. The transition, however, reportedly involved discussions about her continued role in One-Day Internationals and Tests to mentor younger players, a proposal that the BCCI did not fully adopt in favor of a younger leadership.

The debate over Kaur's captaincy intensified following India's performance at the T20 World Cup and her own dip in form. At nearly 38 years old and after a decade at the helm, scrutiny had increased. Cricket circles were divided on whether she should continue, with former players like Diana Edulji suggesting it was time for a change, while others like Anjum Chopra argued for the value of her experience.

Sensing the BCCI's inclination towards a change, Kaur opted to step down, later expressing her feelings in an emotional Instagram post: "I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. Now, it is time for me to turn the page… Blood. Sweat. Sacrifice. Pride. I gave it all. Now, I'm ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends, the journey continues."

Kaur's journey in cricket began in Moga, Punjab, with family support fueling her early passion. Her move to Mumbai and subsequent induction into the Railways team, facilitated by Diana Edulji, provided access to better facilities and a more professional environment. She made her India debut in 2009 at the age of 20 and quickly became a vital all-rounder, known for her explosive batting, off-spin, and fielding skills.

A pivotal moment in her career was her century against Australia in the 2017 Women's ODI World Cup semi-final. Although India lost the final, this innings significantly boosted the profile of women's cricket in India and established Kaur as a household name.

Her second decade saw her excel as both a player and captain. Taking over the T20 captaincy in 2016 and leadership across all formats in 2022, Kaur guided India to some of its most significant successes. Her aggressive captaincy style instilled confidence in her teammates. Under her leadership, India notably defeated Australia in the semi-final of the 2025 ODI World Cup, a match where her 89, combined with Jemimah Rodrigues's century, paved the way for a victory over their rivals. India then went on to win the final against South Africa, securing a historic World Cup title. This achievement is widely regarded as a pinnacle moment for Indian women's cricket. Kaur leaves behind a strong legacy for Mandhana to build upon.