In brief
India’s veteran all‑rounder Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain, passing the mantle to 30‑year‑old opener Smriti Mandhana. The move follows criticism over the team’s performance in the T20 World Cup and a shift in the BCCI’s strategy to build a younger core. Kaur’s emotional Instagram post highlighted her sense of duty and willingness to play again for the love of the game. Her decade of leadership saw historic wins, including the 2017 semi‑final century over Australia and the 2025 World Cup triumph. The transition marks the end of a transformative era and the beginning of a new chapter for India’s women’s side.
India’s Women’s Cricket Giant Steps Down
Harmanpreet Kaur has handed over India’s women’s cricket captaincy to 30‑year‑old opener Smriti Mandhana, ending a decade‑long reign that has seen the side rise from underdogs to World Champions.
In an emotional Instagram post the 37‑year‑old said, "I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. Now, it is time for me to turn the page… Blood. Sweat. Sacrifice. Pride. I gave it all. Now, I'm ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends, the journey continues." Her decision comes after a series of outspoken criticisms from former players and a fielding misstep in the T20 World Cup that led the BCCI to push for new leadership.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and head coach Amol Muzumdar approved the change at a review meeting attended by the trio. While some veterans, such as former captain Anjum Chopra, argued that Harmanpreet’s experience was still vital, the board moved to a younger hand, citing a need to keep pace with a rapidly expanding women’s game.
Harmanpreet’s legacy is marked by historic milestones—like the century that forged the India–Australia rivalry in 2017, the 2025 World Cup triumph and the iconic 2025 semi‑final win over Australia in a match that pushed the team onto the world stage.
Mandhana is set to carry forward the aggressive spirit that came to define India’s women’s side, with the hope of sustaining the momentum forged under Harmanpreet’s leadership.
