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Smriti Mandhana Begins Captaincy Era Ahead of T20I Series Against Zimbabwe

Smriti Mandhana has officially begun her tenure as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, gearing up for the T20I series against Zimbabwe starting October 16. Following Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation, Mandhana steps into the role after a successful Asian Games campaign. Known for her impressive records, she is the leading T20I run-scorer in women's cricket. With a remarkable performance this year, she aims to lead India to victory in the upcoming matches. Discover more about her journey and the team's preparations in the full article.
By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 13, 2026, 11:22 IST

Smriti Mandhana Takes Charge as Captain

In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana kicked off her first training session as the all-format captain of the national team in preparation for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, which is set to commence on October 16.


With Harmanpreet Kaur stepping down from her role, the Indian team is poised to enter the 'Smriti Era' during the three-match T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe at home. Mandhana, who has led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to two Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles, has had a remarkable year filled with achievements.

The Indian Cricket Team's official Instagram account shared a video showcasing Smriti's batting practice in the nets, highlighting her leadership during the training session.



Mandhana recently had a successful run at the Asian Games 2026, where the Indian team defended their gold medal under Harmanpreet's leadership, marking her final assignment as captain before stepping down shortly after the victory. India triumphed over Sri Lanka in the final by 147 runs, with Mandhana contributing significantly by scoring 79 runs off 45 balls. Throughout the tournament, she amassed a total of 116 runs in just two innings.


Recent tournaments have solidified Mandhana's legacy, as she currently holds the title of the leading T20I run-scorer in women's cricket, along with the record for the most international runs and centuries.


In her T20I career, she has played 179 matches, accumulating 4,867 runs at an average of 31.00 and a strike rate exceeding 127, including two centuries and 37 fifties. This year, she has excelled in T20Is, scoring 765 runs in 22 matches and 21 innings, with an impressive average of 38.25 and a strike rate of 148.25, featuring one century and five fifties, with a top score of 124.

Overall, Mandhana has achieved 11,066 runs in international cricket across 308 matches, with 18 centuries, tying her for the most centuries by a batter alongside South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt.