Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as Captain of Indian Women's Cricket Team

Harmanpreet shared her decision on Instagram, expressing the emotional weight of her choice. "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," the 37-year-old stated.

This announcement followed a review meeting held by the BCCI in Guwahati, which included Harmanpreet, Mandhana, and head coach Amol Muzumdar.

In her heartfelt post, she reflected on the personal sacrifices made during her captaincy. "I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women's cricket — my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions. There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first," she added.

Since making her T20I and ODI debuts in 2009, Harmanpreet has captained India in a total of 211 matches, which includes five Tests, 51 ODIs, and 155 T20Is. She took over the full-time captaincy from Mithali Raj in 2018 and led the team to the T20 World Cup semifinals that year, followed by a runners-up finish in 2020.

In red-ball cricket, she achieved a remarkable 347-run victory over England, marking the largest win margin in women's Test history.

Under her leadership, India secured three T20 Asia Cup titles (2016, 2022, 2026) and two gold medals at the Asian Games (2023, 2026). However, her crowning achievement came last year when she guided India to its ODI World Cup victory, ending a long wait for a world title for the women's team.

"I have seen it all. Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will. I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women's cricket," she concluded in her post.