Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Smriti Mandhana Takes Over India’s White-Ball Captaincy
India’s women’s cricket team has a new captain for one-day and T20 matches.
The cricket board chose Smriti Mandhana after Harmanpreet Kaur gave up the captaincy.
Mandhana has led India in some matches before and has also captained a successful club team.
The board said her experience and leadership made her a strong choice.
Kaur said the decision was not easy, but she is not retiring from playing.
She led India to its first Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025.
Reports said a meeting about the team’s future happened before the change.
Some reports linked the change to recent tournament results, but the articles do not establish that this was the reason Kaur stepped down.
The BCCI appointed Smriti Mandhana full-time captain of India’s women’s white-ball team after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from captaincy across formats.
The appointment was announced on Tuesday; reports said a BCCI review meeting involving Kaur, Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar took place in Guwahati on Monday.
Mandhana has previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, and has been part of the national team since 2013.
She led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026, credentials cited by the BCCI in announcing her appointment.
Kaur said she would continue playing; during her captaincy, India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025.
- Who
- Smriti Mandhana was appointed captain, replacing Harmanpreet Kaur, who stepped down.
- What
- Mandhana became India’s full-time white-ball captain; Kaur relinquished captaincy across formats and said she would continue playing.
- When
- The BCCI announced the appointment on Tuesday; reports said a review meeting took place on Monday.
- Where
- The appointment is for India’s women’s team; the reported review meeting was in Guwahati.
- Why
- Kaur stepped down. The BCCI cited Mandhana’s experience and leadership; reports also described discussion of the team’s future and recent performances.
Reports and performance concerns
Public statements and stated rationale
What led to the leadership change
Reports and performance concerns
Some reports linked the review meeting and calls for a change to India’s recent results, including a group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup.
Public statements and stated rationale
Kaur publicly announced that she was stepping down. The BCCI praised Mandhana’s experience and leadership, but the articles do not establish that performance concerns caused Kaur’s decision.
Kaur’s role after captaincy
Reports and performance concerns
Commentary argued that Kaur’s future selection should depend on her batting form and suggested she could support Mandhana if her performances warrant it.
Public statements and stated rationale
Kaur said she intends to keep playing, and Mandhana acknowledged her contribution as captain. The articles do not report a confirmed advisory role for Kaur.
- New captain
- Smriti Mandhana
- Previous captain
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Role
- Full-time captain of India’s white-ball team
- Mandhana’s India captaincy record
- 18 T20Is and four ODIs
- Franchise leadership
- Mandhana captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026
- Reported review meeting
- Monday in Guwahati, with Kaur, Mandhana, head coach Amol Muzumdar and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reported to be present
- Kaur’s playing plans
- She said she would continue playing after stepping down as captain
- Major achievement under Kaur
- India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025
Sources
Smriti Mandhana takes charge as India women’s new captain after Harmanpreet Kaur steps down
Captaincy curtain falls: Time for ‘The Harmonster’ to rise again
Smriti Mandhana named India women’s captain as Harmanpreet Kaur steps down - Telegraph India
Smriti Mandhana named India women’s captain as Harmanpreet Kaur steps down
Smriti Mandhana Appointed India Women's Cricket Team Captain After Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down
Smriti Mandhana named India women’s captain as Harmanpreet Kaur steps down after World Cup
Smriti Mandhana appointed India Women's captain after Harmanpreet Kaur steps down
