India’s celebrated women's cricket captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has officially stepped down from leading the national side in all three formats, making way for opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana to take over the reins. Harmanpreet, now 37, will be remembered for steering India to its inaugural global triumph when the team lifted the 2025 Women's 50‑over World Cup on home soil. That victory placed her among an elite trio of Indian captains – alongside men’s legends Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni – who have guided a side to a world‑cup title.
Her final act as captain was to guide India to a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal, a match in which the Indian side overwhelmed Sri Lanka by a staggering 147 runs in the final. Over the course of her leadership tenure, Harmanpreet captained India in five Test matches, 51 One‑Day Internationals (ODIs) and 155 Twenty‑20 Internationals (T20Is), leaving a legacy of consistency and resilience. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wasted no time in confirming Mandhana as the successor.
The left‑handed opener, 30, had already acted as deputy captain, wearing the armband in 18 T20Is and four ODIs when Harmanpreet was unavailable. Mandhana’s credentials are impressive: she recently became the highest run‑scorer in women’s international cricket and holds the record for the most centuries (18) across all formats in the women's game. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Harmanpreet reflected on her decision to relinquish the captaincy. She described the choice as “not an easy decision,” emphasizing the years of memories, emotions, sacrifices and moments that would stay with her for life.
She wrote that she had given everything she possessed to the team – her blood, sweat, time, and often a portion of her personal ambitions. She recounted occasions when she set aside her own performance and growth because she believed the collective success of the team must come first.
Harmanpreet highlighted the difficult decisions she had to make as captain, noting that they were not always understood or easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. Yet every decision, she insisted, was driven by a single purpose: to improve the side and provide other players with the chance to develop, believe in themselves, and become the best versions of their own selves.
She concluded her statement with a mixture of emotion and peace, expressing confidence that the team was in a strong position – a side endowed with talent, character, belief, and a bright future that she is eager to watch and support. She added that she felt she had fulfilled her duty, carrying the responsibility with pride, and expressed gratitude for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket. Harmanpreet’s final Test as captain was a dominant 270‑run victory over England at Lord’s in July, marking the first women’s Test ever played at the historic venue. She had first taken on the T20 captaincy in 2016, and later assumed the Test and ODI roles after Mithali Raj’s retirement in 2022.
In the same statement, Harmanpreet affirmed that while her captaincy ends, her love for Indian cricket remains unwavering. She summed up her journey with the words: “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.” Upon being named the new captain, Mandhana expressed her gratitude and sense of honor. She said that being entrusted with the responsibility of leading India is a “very special honour” and that representing the nation has always meant a great deal to her.
She also paid tribute to Harmanpreet, acknowledging the former captain’s commitment and the pivotal role she played in the team’s evolution. Mandhana recognized the weight of the new role, pledging to work closely with her teammates, learn along the way, and give her utmost effort to advance Indian cricket. Looking ahead, India’s schedule remains busy.
The team will host Zimbabwe for a three‑match T20I series and an equal number of ODIs beginning on October 16. Following that, the Indian women will embark on a tour of South Africa in December, a series that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
These upcoming contests will provide Mandhana with an early opportunity to imprint her leadership style on the side and to build on the strong foundation laid by Harmanpreet. The transition marks a new chapter for Indian women’s cricket, one that blends the experience of a decorated predecessor with the fresh energy and record‑breaking talent of a rising star.