Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down After Decade Leading India
Harmanpreet Kaur has decided to stop being captain of India’s women’s cricket team.
She led the team in Tests, one-day matches and T20 matches.
She said the decision was difficult, but she feels she has done her duty and believes the team is ready for the future.
Kaur plans to keep playing for India.
While she was captain, India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025.
Reports also credit her teams with Asian Games gold medals.
Smriti Mandhana is widely seen as the likely next captain.
However, some reports say the change still needs confirmation from cricket officials.
Harmanpreet Kaur announced she is stepping down as India women’s captain across Tests, ODIs and T20Is after about a decade in leadership.
In her Instagram statement, she called the decision difficult, said she felt she had done her duty and believed the team was in a good place.
Kaur will continue playing for India; one report says she will be available for the Zimbabwe series.
Under Kaur, India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and also claimed Asian Games gold medals.
Smriti Mandhana is widely described as the front-runner to succeed her, but reports differ on whether the change is official or subject to a BCCI review.
- Who
- Harmanpreet Kaur; Smriti Mandhana is widely reported as the likely successor.
- What
- Kaur announced she is stepping down as India women’s captain in all formats while continuing as a player.
- When
- Tuesday, October 6; the articles do not consistently specify the year.
- Where
- Kaur announced her decision in an Instagram post; a BCCI review meeting was held in Guwahati.
- Why
- Kaur said she felt she had done her duty and believed the team was in a good place.
Mandhana is the leading successor
Captaincy change awaits confirmation
Who should lead next
Mandhana is the leading successor
Reports identify vice-captain Smriti Mandhana as the obvious choice or front-runner, citing her experience and seniority. Former players Mithali Raj and Devika Palshikar are also reported to have endorsed her.
Captaincy change awaits confirmation
Other reports say an official appointment has not yet been announced, and that the change may depend on a BCCI review.
When Kaur became all-format captain
Mandhana is the leading successor
Some reports say Kaur became full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022 after Mithali Raj's departure.
Captaincy change awaits confirmation
Other reports say she became all-format leader in 2023, while describing her T20I captaincy as beginning in 2016.
- Formats
- Tests, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals
- Leadership span
- About a decade; she took charge of T20Is in 2016.
- Captaincy appearances
- Reports list five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is.
- ODI record
- One report gives 30 wins, 19 losses, one tie and one no result in 51 matches.
- T20I record
- One report gives 92 wins, 57 losses, one tie and five no results.
- Major achievement
- India won its maiden Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 under Kaur.
- Successor
- Smriti Mandhana is described as the front-runner or likely successor; reports say an official announcement may still be pending.
- Playing future
- Kaur intends to continue playing for India; one report says she will be available for the Zimbabwe series.
Sources
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down As Women's Captain Across All formats
Harmanpreet Kaur era ends: Why Smriti Mandhana is the obvious choice to lead Indian women's cricket team? Explained
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down As India Women's Captain After Historic World Cup Triumph, Will Continue As Player
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
'Thank You For Everything': Netizens Pay Tribute As Harmanpreet Kaur Ends 10-Year Captaincy Stint
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India women's skipper across formats as 'team is in a good place'
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women's Cricket Team Captain
