Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as captain of India’s women’s cricket team

After leading India to its first Women’s World Cup title in 2025, the 37‑year‑old Harmanpreet Kaur announced she would relinquish the captaincy across all formats. The decision followed an internal review led by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking fresh leadership, citing a need for a younger head after a mixed showing at the recent T20 World Cup.

Smriti Mandhana, the star opener and long‑time deputy, was named the new captain, a move parallel to the BCCI’s earlier shift in men’s T20 leadership. Former players and experts were split: Diana Edulji praised Harmanpreet’s legacy and deemed it the right time for a change, while Anjum Chopra argued that her experience remained vital.

Kaur’s departure marks the end of a decade‑long era that transformed Indian women’s cricket. Her knocks, most famously a century against Australia in the 2017 semi‑final, sparked national interest and led to India’s first World Cup victory, after narowing the gap between men’s and women’s sporting achievements in the country.

The transition, however, is not without challenges. While the men’s side enjoys a deeper talent pool, the women’s ranks still rely heavily on Harnampreet’s leadership. Whether Mandhana can sustain the momentum remains to be seen.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Kaur wrote, "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."

As the new captain settles in, the focus shifts to further nurturing talent and maintaining India’s competitive edge in the rapidly expanding global women’s cricket arena.