Harmanpreet Kaur has announced her resignation as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats. Her decision marks the conclusion of a significant leadership era, highlighted by India securing its first ICC Women’s World Cup title on home soil in 2025.
Kaur confirmed the news via social media on Tuesday, just two weeks after she steered the team to a successful gold medal defense at the Asian Games. She expressed that while the choice was difficult, she feels a sense of peace knowing the team is well-positioned for the future. Her decorated career as skipper includes managing India through five Test matches, 51 ODIs, and 155 T20Is. According to “I leave the captaincy today with a heart full of emotions, but also with peace … because I genuinely believe my team is in a good place,” she, In her Instagram post. “I feel I have done my duty.
Key Career and Tenure Milestones
- Captaincy Scope: Led the team in all formats, including T20I (started 2016), ODI, and Test roles (assumed 2022).
- Historic Achievement: First cricketer to captain a side in over 150 T20I international matches.
- Tournament Success: Guided India to semi-final appearances in the 2018 and 2023 T20 World Cups and a runner-up finish in 2020.
- Recent Wins: Successfully defended the Asian Games gold medal and lifted the Women’s Asia Cup trophy in September 2026.
- Debut Timeline: Began her professional international career for India in 2009.
The 37-year-old stated that although her captaincy has ended, her dedication to Indian cricket remains unchanged. She plans to continue contributing as a player, noting that her journey continues even without the leadership title.
The announcement followed a meeting between Kaur and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia, where the two discussed the future direction of the women’s side. As the transition begins, vice-captain and opening batter Smriti Mandhana is widely considered the favorite to succeed Kaur as the new national team captain. Who has been Kaur’s deputy since 2022, is the favourite to take over the captain’s role, opening batter Smriti Mandhana. As well as finish runners-up in the 2020 edition, the top-order batter helped India reach the semifinals of the 2018 and 2023 Women’s T20 World Cups.
Important Details
- “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.”.
