Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as Captain: A New Era for Indian Women's Cricket

Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women's cricket team, a decision she announced on Instagram after leading the team to a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Former cricketer Madan Lal praised her contributions and suggested Smriti Mandhana as a potential successor. Kaur reflected on her journey, emphasizing the sacrifices made for the team's success and her commitment to Indian women's cricket. Her leadership has been marked by historic achievements, including India's first ODI World Cup title in 2025 and significant milestones in T20 formats.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 20:57 IST

Harmanpreet Kaur Resigns from Captaincy

Harmanpreet Kaur has officially stepped down from her role as captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats. She made this announcement via an Instagram post on Tuesday, following her leadership in securing a gold medal for India at the 2026 Asian Games.

Madan Lal Praises Harmanpreet and Suggests Smriti Mandhana as Successor

Former cricketer Madan Lal commended Harmanpreet for her significant contributions to women's cricket and proposed Smriti Mandhana as a suitable successor. In his remarks, he emphasized that Harmanpreet's decision was personal and came after careful consideration. He noted her achievements, including a World Cup victory, and expressed his best wishes for her future.

Madan, who was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, highlighted Mandhana's impressive form and experience, stating that she has previously captained the team in Harmanpreet's absence and has led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women's Premier League titles.

Harmanpreet Reflects on Her Captaincy Journey

In her heartfelt Instagram post, Harmanpreet shared that stepping down was a challenging decision filled with memories, emotions, and sacrifices. She expressed her dedication to the team, often prioritizing its needs over her personal ambitions.

She stated, 'Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats. 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.'

Harmanpreet's tenure as captain saw her lead India to its first ODI World Cup title in 2025, a milestone that places her among the elite Indian captains in cricket history.

Legacy of Leadership

Harmanpreet's captaincy began in T20Is in 2016, and she became the full-time captain for ODIs and Tests in 2022. Her leadership has been marked by significant achievements, including leading India to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cups in 2018 and 2023, and a runner-up finish in 2020.

She holds the record for the most T20I matches as captain, having led India in 155 T20Is, and her final assignment concluded with another gold medal at the Asian Games.

Throughout her captaincy, Kaur has been instrumental in elevating Indian women's cricket, achieving historic milestones and fostering a competitive spirit within the team.