Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as Captain of Indian Women's Cricket Team
End of an Era for Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur has officially concluded her tenure as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team as of Tuesday. The 37-year-old has chosen to resign from her leadership role immediately, marking the end of a transformative journey that saw her evolve from a formidable middle-order batswoman to one of the most distinguished captains in Indian cricket history.
A Journey to Leadership
Kaur first assumed the captaincy of the T20I team in 2016 and later became the full-time captain for ODIs and Tests in 2022, succeeding the legendary Mithali Raj after her retirement.
Historic World Cup Victory
Her tenure is highlighted by a remarkable achievement: leading India to its first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title on home soil in November last year. This victory places her in an elite group, making her the third Indian captain, alongside Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to win a 50-over World Cup.
Exclusive Club of World Cup Winners
Kaur has joined a select group of five Indian captains who have lifted a World Cup trophy, including Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to T20 World Cup victories in 2024 and 2026, respectively.
Success in T20 Format
Kaur's impact was particularly significant in T20 cricket. She guided India to the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cups in 2018 and 2023 and led the team to the finals in 2020, where they finished as runners-up. Notably, she captained India in 155 T20Is, becoming the first captain in international cricket, regardless of gender, to lead a team in over 150 matches in this format.
Final Assignment and Achievements
Kaur's final match as captain concluded on a high note, with India winning a second consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games, following their success in 2023. While her World Cup victory remains the pinnacle of her captaincy, her leadership journey includes several other significant milestones. She captained India in five Tests and 51 ODIs, in addition to her record 155 T20Is. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she led India to a silver medal, scoring a memorable 65 runs in the final, although Australia claimed the gold.
A Lasting Legacy
Throughout her leadership, Kaur has propelled Indian women's cricket into a new era of ambition, visibility, and success. She is celebrated for delivering India's first Women's Cricket World Cup title and for being a two-time Asian Games gold-medal-winning captain. Her tenure has seen multiple deep runs in T20 World Cups and established a record for captaincy appearances in the format that may endure for years to come.
From taking charge of the T20 side in 2016 to lifting the World Cup trophy nearly a decade later, Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy has been characterized by perseverance, growth, and historic accomplishments.