Harmanpreet Kaur Resigns as India Women’s Captain, Smriti Mandhana Takes Charge Across Formats
MUMBAI: Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of India Womens Cricket across all formats, ending one of the most successful leadership eras in the team’s history. The 37-year-old announced her decision on October 6, 2026, and will continue playing for India. Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as her successor.
The decision brings an unexpected end to Kaur’s captaincy shortly after she led India to the Asian Games gold medal in September and less than a year after the team won its first Women’s ODI World Cup.
Harmanpreet Kaur Resigns After Historic Captaincy Run
The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that Harmanpreet Kaur Resigns from the captaincy with immediate effect.
Kaur became India’s full-time T20I captain in 2016 and took charge of the ODI and Test teams in 2022 after Mithali Raj’s international retirement. She went on to captain India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is.
The BCCI described her leadership as an important part of the development of Indian women’s cricket. In its official statement, the board also confirmed that Kaur intends to remain available as a player.
Her biggest achievement came in November 2025, when India defeated South Africa in the final to win their first Women’s ODI World Cup title. The triumph made Kaur the first Indian woman to captain the country to a senior ICC World Cup title.
India Womens Cricket Enters A New Era
The change means India Womens Cricket will now be led by Smriti Mandhana, who had served as Kaur’s deputy and has extensive captaincy experience in international and franchise cricket.
Mandhana has previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs. She has also led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles, giving her experience in high-pressure knockout competitions.
Her appointment comes after a period in which she established herself as one of India’s most important batters. Earlier in September, Mandhana reached another major milestone during the Asian Games campaign, becoming the leading run-scorer in women’s T20I cricket.
The BCCI said Mandhana will take over as the full-time white-ball captain, while Kaur’s continued presence as a player will provide experience during the transition.
BCCI Thanks Harmanpreet For Her Contribution
BCCI President Mithun Manhas praised Kaur’s contribution and highlighted the 2025 World Cup victory as the defining achievement of her captaincy.
Kaur, meanwhile, said the decision was made after careful consideration and that she believed the team was ready to move forward under new leadership. She also made clear that her commitment to Indian cricket has not ended.
The transition therefore does not represent Kaur’s retirement from international cricket. She will continue to represent India as a player.
Mandhana Takes Charge Of India
The leadership change gives India Womens Cricket a new captain while retaining one of its most experienced players within the squad.
Kaur leaves the captaincy with a record that includes the 2025 World Cup, four Women’s Asia Cup titles and two Asian Games gold medals. She also became the first captain, male or female, to lead a team in more than 150 T20 internationals.
For Mandhana, the immediate task is to build on that foundation while taking responsibility for a team entering another important phase.
The Harmanpreet Kaur Resigns announcement closes a major chapter in Indian women’s cricket. But with Kaur remaining in the playing group and Mandhana taking over the leadership, the change is a transition rather than a complete break from the team’s recent era of success.
