"As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions."
India’s World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from the role across all three formats, with Smriti Mandhana taking over as her successor.
Harmanpreet made history in 2025 when she led India to their first-ever Women’s 50-over World Cup title, defeating South Africa in the final on home soil.
She became only the third Indian captain, after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to lead a team to victory in a World Cup.
Her final assignment as captain came last month when India retained their Asian Games gold medal, beating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final.
Harmanpreet finished her captaincy career having led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is.
The decision brings an end to a decade-long captaincy.
Harmanpreet Kaur became T20I captain in 2016 before taking over the Test and ODI captaincy following Mithali Raj’s retirement in 2022.
Announcing her decision on Instagram, Harmanpreet wrote:
“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.
“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.
“As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost.
“But every decision I made was with one intention – to make this team better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves.
“I leave the captaincy with a heart full of emotions but also with peace. Because I genuinely believe my team is in a good place. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of.
“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.”
Insisting that this does not signal the end of her international career, the cricketer added:
“Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will.
“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.”
India has not hesitated in appointing Smriti Mandhana as the new captain.
She recently became the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket and has 18 centuries across formats, the most by any player in women’s cricket.
Taking on the captaincy, Mandhana said:
“To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour.”
“Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply.
“I would also like to acknowledge Harmanpreet and the contribution she has made as captain over the years. She has led the team with great commitment and has been an important part of our journey.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and look forward to working with the team, learning along the way and giving my best to take Indian Cricket forward.”
Mandhana’s first assignment as India’s permanent captain will come later in October, when Zimbabwe visit India for three T20Is and three ODIs from October 16.
India will then tour South Africa in December.
