Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from her role as captain of the India women's cricket team across all three formats, ending an era that saw her become one of the sport's most influential leaders. Star opener Smriti Mandhana, 30, has been appointed as her successor.
Kaur, 37, led India to their historic first women's World Cup win in 2025, a feat achieved eight years after they lost the final in 2017. Her captaincy also included recent victories in the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
Reports indicate that Kaur was willing to relinquish the T20 captaincy immediately but wanted to continue leading in One-Day Internationals and Tests. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was intent on appointing a younger captain.
Kaur's future as captain had been debated following India's performance at the T20 World Cup in England a few months ago and her own dip in form. She announced her decision to step down in an emotional Instagram post, stating, "Captaincy ends, the journey continues."