Harmanpreet Kaur, the 37‑year‑old batter who captained India to its maiden global women’s cricket triumph at the 2025 50‑over World Cup on home soil, has announced that she will relinquish the leadership role across all three formats. Her decision marks the end of a remarkable tenure that saw her guide the side to historic successes and cement her place alongside Indian cricket legends such as Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, the only other Indian captains to have lifted a World Cup trophy. Kaur’s final act as skipper came in the Asian Games final last month, where India produced a dominant performance, beating Sri Lanka by a staggering 147 runs to claim a second consecutive gold medal. The victory was a fitting farewell to her captaincy, showcasing the depth and confidence she has helped instill in the squad.
Over the course of her leadership, Harmanpreet captained India in five Test matches, 51 One‑Day Internationals and 155 T20 Internationals. While the exact successor has yet to be confirmed, all signs point to senior batter Smriti Mandhana taking over the reins. Regardless of who follows, Kaur’s legacy will serve as a benchmark for future leaders. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the cricketer explained the difficulty of her choice: "This is not an easy decision.
It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life." She went on to describe how she had poured her "blood, sweat, time" and, on many occasions, set aside personal ambitions to serve the collective goal of the team. "There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first," she wrote.
Kaur reflected on the burdens of leadership, noting that many of her decisions were controversial, misunderstood, or personally costly. Yet she emphasized that every choice was driven by a single purpose: to improve the side and provide younger players with the chance to develop, believe in themselves, and reach their full potential.
"I leave the captaincy with a heart full of emotions but also with peace. Because I genuinely believe my team is in a good place. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of," she added. She concluded her statement by affirming that she had fulfilled her duty: "I gave this team everything I had.
I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women's cricket." The former captain also hinted at the next chapter of her career, stating, "Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will. 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 final Test as captain was a historic 270‑run rout of England at Lord's in July, the first women's Test ever played at the iconic venue. She first assumed the T20 captaincy in 2016 and, following Mithali Raj’s retirement in 2022, added the ODI and Test responsibilities to her portfolio. Looking ahead, the Indian women's team has a busy schedule. Starting on October 16, they will host Zimbabwe for a three‑match T20 International series, followed by an equal number of ODIs.
The squad will then travel to South Africa in December for a tour that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, providing fans worldwide an opportunity to watch the new leadership in action. Harmanpreet’s departure from the captaincy does not signal an exit from the sport. She has expressed a desire to continue contributing on the field, focusing solely on her batting and fielding without the added pressures of leadership. Her experience, technical skill, and calm under pressure will remain valuable assets for India as they aim to build on the momentum generated by recent triumphs.
The transition also opens a window for emerging talent to step up. With Mandhana poised to take over, and a pool of promising youngsters waiting for their chance, the Indian women's side appears well‑positioned to sustain its upward trajectory. The combination of seasoned veterans and fresh faces promises a dynamic blend of stability and innovation. In summary, Harmanpreet Kaur’s resignation marks the close of a distinguished chapter in Indian cricket history.
Her tenure was defined by groundbreaking achievements, unwavering dedication, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation. While the captaincy will pass to a new hand, Kaur’s influence will continue to resonate, both on and off the pitch, as she returns to focus on playing the sport she loves.