Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India's All-Format Cricket Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur Resigns as India Women's Cricket Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur, who has led the Indian women's cricket team since 2016, announced her decision to step down from her role as captain across all formats. The 37-year-old played a major role in some of the team's historic moments, including victories in the ODI World Cup and securing gold at the Asian Games.

Her resignation was shared through a detailed social media post, where she described the choice as difficult but expressed confidence that the team is now well-positioned for the future. "I feel I have done my duty," she said. "I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride and will always be thankful for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket."

BCCI's Review and Future Plans

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been reviewing team performances recently and has developed a roadmap going forward. A meeting chaired by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia included Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, and head coach Amol Muzumdar. Following this discussion, Harmanpreet stepped down, though it is not confirmed if she was asked to resign during the meeting.

Smriti Mandhana is expected to take over captaincy duties for Tests, ODIs, and T20s.

Harmanpreet’s Message on Leadership and Future

Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats.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. I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket — my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions. There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first.As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. But every decision I made was with one intention - to make this TEAM better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves.I have seen it all. I have seen the lowest moments, the heartbreak, the criticism, the doubts and the days when nothing seemed to go our way. And I have also experienced the highest highs - the victories, the celebrations, the pride of representing our country, and the moments that made every sacrifice worth it.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. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of.I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket. Now, it is time for me to turn the page.Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will. Thank you to every teammate, coach, support staff, management, BCCI, family members, every single fan who stood by me through the highs and lows.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.