Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Captain; Legends Approve
Harmanpreet Kaur has stopped being captain of India’s women’s cricket team.
She will still play for the team.
She said she feels emotional but at peace with her decision.
Questions about her leadership grew after India left the T20 World Cup during the group stage for the second time in a row.
Former Indian cricket leaders said the change could give the next captain time to prepare.
They also said Harmanpreet still has a lot to offer as a player.
Diana Edulji said Smriti Mandhana should lead the team next.
Shanta Rangaswamy also said Smriti is likely to take over.
Harmanpreet Kaur has relinquished the India women’s captaincy across all three formats.
She will continue playing and said she believes the team is in a strong position.
Questions about her captaincy grew after India’s second straight T20 World Cup group-stage exit in June.
Former captain and coach Purnima Rau and former all-rounder Diana Edulji supported the decision.
Edulji and Shanta Rangaswamy said Smriti Mandhana is a likely successor, with Edulji backing her to lead.
- Who
- Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India’s women’s cricket team.
- What
- She stepped down as captain across all three formats but will continue playing.
- When
- Tuesday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- India’s women’s cricket team.
- Why
- Harmanpreet said she believes the team is in a good place; former players welcomed the move as a chance to give a successor time to build the team.
- Captaincy
- Harmanpreet relinquished leadership across all three formats.
- Playing future
- She will remain a player for India.
- Recent result
- India had a second successive group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup in June.
- Purnima Rau’s view
- She said Harmanpreet chose the right moment and that the next captain needs time to plan.
- Diana Edulji’s view
- She called the decision good for the future and said Smriti should lead next.
- Shanta Rangaswamy’s view
- She said Harmanpreet can now focus on batting and that Smriti is likely to take over.