Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as India women’s cricket captain across Test, ODI and T20I formats, bringing her leadership tenure to an end after a major period of success for Indian women’s cricket.
What Happened: Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Captain
Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats, bringing her leadership tenure to an immediate end.
Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from her position as India women’s cricket captain across all formats, marking the end of one of the longest leadership eras in Indian women’s cricket. The decision was announced on October 6, 2026, and takes immediate effect.
The International Cricket Council confirmed that Harmanpreet has left the captaincy role in Test, ODI and T20I cricket. She took charge of India in the shortest format in 2016 before becoming the full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022.
The timing makes the announcement particularly significant. Harmanpreet’s captaincy ends after a successful period for India, which included the team’s historic first Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025 and another Asian Games gold medal in 2026.
Importantly, this is a captaincy decision, not an international retirement. Harmanpreet intends to continue representing India as a player, allowing her experience to remain part of the team even as a new leadership phase begins.
What Harmanpreet Kaur Said About Stepping Down
Harmanpreet Kaur described her decision to step down as an emotional one while making it clear that she will continue representing India as a player.
Harmanpreet Kaur announced her decision to step down as India women’s captain through a statement on October 6, 2026. The decision brings her leadership tenure across Test, ODI and T20I cricket to an immediate end.
In her statement, Harmanpreet reflected on the responsibility of leading India and the many important moments that came with the role. Her captaincy included major victories as well as difficult periods, making the decision an important moment in her international career.
Harmanpreet also made it clear that stepping down from captaincy does not mean retirement from international cricket. She will continue to represent India as a player and remains available to contribute to the team on the field.
Her decision therefore marks a change in leadership rather than the end of her India career. The team will now enter a new phase with a different player expected to take responsibility for leading the side.
Harmanpreet’s message also highlighted her confidence in the next generation of Indian women cricketers. After years of leading the side, she is now set to continue her international career without the additional responsibility of captaincy.
Why Harmanpreet Kaur Stepped Down as India Women’s Captain
Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision followed a BCCI review meeting and came amid discussions about the future direction of India Women’s cricket.
The exact personal reason behind Harmanpreet Kaur’s resignation has not been publicly disclosed in full. What is confirmed is that her decision came shortly after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati involving senior officials and the India women’s coaching and leadership group.
The meeting was held to assess the team’s recent trajectory and discuss its future direction. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar were involved in the discussions.
Reports indicate that the meeting included discussions about Harmanpreet’s future as captain and the broader leadership structure of the team. The development ultimately resulted in Harmanpreet stepping down from the captaincy across Tests, ODIs and T20Is with immediate effect.
The timing is notable because Harmanpreet had recently guided India to another major title, with the team winning the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Her captaincy had also produced India’s first Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025.
At the same time, there had been increasing discussion around India’s leadership transition and Harmanpreet’s individual form, particularly in T20 cricket. Reports also noted criticism following India’s failure to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals earlier in 2026.
However, it would be inaccurate to describe the resignation as being caused by one single factor. Harmanpreet’s own statement focused more on the emotional weight of captaincy, the sacrifices involved and her belief that the team is now in a good position for its next chapter.
Her decision also gives India an opportunity to establish a new leadership structure while allowing Harmanpreet to concentrate on her role as a player. She has confirmed that she intends to continue playing for India across formats.
BCCI Review Meeting and Leadership Change
A BCCI review meeting in Guwahati became an important step in the leadership transition that followed Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down.
The leadership change came shortly after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati on October 5, 2026. The meeting was chaired by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and included Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar.
The review focused on the direction of the India women’s team following its recent international campaigns. India had endured a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign earlier in 2026 but subsequently responded with major successes in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Reports indicate that Harmanpreet’s future as captain was among the key subjects discussed during the meeting. The discussions took place as the BCCI assessed the team’s leadership structure and its plans for the next phase of Indian women’s cricket.
Following the meeting, Harmanpreet announced that she would step down from the captaincy across Test, ODI and T20I cricket. The decision took immediate effect, ending a leadership tenure that began in T20Is in 2016 and later expanded across formats.
The timing of the transition is significant because India enters its next phase with considerable recent success behind it. Under Harmanpreet, India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and secured another Asian Games gold medal in 2026.
At the same time, the BCCI review comes after a period of scrutiny around the team’s T20I results and leadership. The board’s discussions therefore form an important part of the context surrounding the change, although the exact internal details of the meeting have not been publicly disclosed in full.
Harmanpreet’s resignation does not end her involvement with the national team. She is expected to continue as a player, while the BCCI now has to finalize the leadership structure for India Women’s upcoming international assignments.
As of October 6, 2026, the BCCI has not formally announced Harmanpreet Kaur’s permanent successor. Smriti Mandhana is widely being discussed as a potential successor because of her existing role as vice-captain, but the formal appointment should be treated as pending until officially confirmed.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Captaincy Record for India
Harmanpreet Kaur leaves the India captaincy after leading the team across all three international formats for nearly a decade.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy career is defined by longevity and major milestones. She first took charge of India in T20I cricket in 2016 and later became the full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022.
| Format | Matches as Captain | Captaincy Period |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 5 | From 2022 |
| ODI | 51 | From 2022 |
| T20I | 155 | From 2016 |
Across these three formats, Harmanpreet captained India in 211 international matches. Her T20I record is particularly notable: she became the first captain in international cricket to lead a side in more than 150 T20I matches.
Her leadership also produced India’s biggest breakthrough in women’s 50-over cricket. In 2025, Harmanpreet became the captain who led India to its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title, with the triumph coming on home soil.
Her final major assignment as captain came at the 2026 Asian Games, where India successfully defended its women’s cricket gold medal. That followed India’s previous Asian Games triumph in 2022.
Harmanpreet’s captaincy also included a Women’s T20 World Cup final appearance in 2020 and semi-final appearances in 2018 and 2023. India additionally won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games under her leadership.
The numbers underline the scale of her leadership tenure. From taking responsibility in T20Is in 2016 to stepping down after another Asian Games gold in 2026, Harmanpreet leaves behind one of the most significant captaincy records in Indian women’s cricket.
Major Achievements as India Women’s Captain
Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy era included India’s first Women’s ODI World Cup title, consecutive Asian Games gold medals and several major milestones across formats.
India’s First Women’s ODI World Cup Title
The defining achievement of Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy came in 2025, when India won its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup. India defeated South Africa in the final on home soil, giving the Indian women’s team its maiden senior World Cup title.
The triumph also made Harmanpreet the first Indian woman to captain a team to a senior World Cup title. She became only the third Indian captain overall to lift a senior World Cup trophy, after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.
Back-to-Back Asian Games Gold Medals
Harmanpreet also led India to Asian Games gold medals in 2022 and 2026. India won the women’s cricket gold in Hangzhou in 2022 before successfully defending the title at the Aichi-Nagoya Games in 2026.
The 2026 Asian Games gold was particularly significant because it became Harmanpreet’s final major assignment as India’s captain before she stepped down from the role across all formats.
Commonwealth Games Silver in 2022
Under Harmanpreet’s leadership, India reached the women’s cricket final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. India won the silver medal after losing the final to Australia, marking an important result during cricket’s return to the Commonwealth Games programme.
Multiple Asia Cup Successes
Harmanpreet was also part of several successful Indian Asia Cup campaigns. India won the Women’s Asia Cup in 2012, 2016, 2022 and 2026, adding another important chapter to her long international career.
Historic T20I Captaincy Milestone
Her longevity in T20I cricket produced another major record. Harmanpreet became the first cricketer to captain a team in 150 T20I matches, eventually finishing her India captaincy with 155 T20Is.
The milestone underlined how long she remained at the centre of India’s T20I leadership structure and how significant her contribution was to the growth of the format in Indian women’s cricket.
Historic Test Victory at Lord’s
Harmanpreet’s captaincy also included a landmark Test achievement in 2026, when India recorded a historic first women’s Test victory at Lord’s. The result added another notable milestone to a captaincy career that produced major achievements in all three formats.
Taken together, these achievements show why Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy will be remembered as a significant era in Indian women’s cricket. Her tenure combined landmark trophies, record-breaking longevity and major victories that helped establish India as a stronger force across formats.
What Happens to Harmanpreet Kaur Now?
Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy has ended, but her international playing career will continue as she moves into a new role with India Women.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down does not mark the end of her India career. The former captain has made it clear that she wants to continue representing India as a player across formats.
The BCCI has also confirmed that Harmanpreet will remain part of the Indian women’s team. The board highlighted the value of her experience, understanding of the game and presence around the younger players as India moves into a new leadership phase.
For Harmanpreet herself, the change means that she can now focus more directly on her individual performances. After carrying the responsibility of captaincy for years, she will no longer have to balance her own preparation with the additional tactical and leadership demands that come with leading an international team.
Her own statement reflected this change in mindset. Harmanpreet said she is ready to play for the love of the game again, suggesting that her immediate focus will be on contributing with her performances rather than leading from the front.
Her experience could also remain important inside the dressing room. With India entering a new leadership chapter, Harmanpreet can potentially support the next captain and younger members of the squad while continuing to compete for her place in the playing XI.
The timing also gives Harmanpreet an opportunity to concentrate on the next stage of her own career. She leaves the captaincy after leading India to the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup title and the 2026 Asian Games gold medal, meaning her leadership chapter ends with two of the biggest achievements in Indian women’s cricket.
The immediate question now is who will take over the captaincy. While Smriti Mandhana is being widely discussed as the leading candidate, the permanent successor should not be treated as officially confirmed until the BCCI makes a formal announcement.
For Harmanpreet, however, the message is clear: the captaincy chapter has closed, but the India journey continues. Her next challenge will be to contribute as an experienced senior player while helping the team transition into its new leadership era.
Who Could Be India Women’s Next Captain?
Smriti Mandhana is currently the leading candidate to succeed Harmanpreet Kaur, although the BCCI has yet to formally announce the next all-format captain.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision has opened an important leadership question for Indian women’s cricket. With the captaincy now vacant across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, the BCCI will have to decide who can lead the team through its next phase.
Smriti Mandhana is currently the strongest candidate in the succession discussion. She has served as Harmanpreet’s vice-captain and has significant experience at international and franchise level. Recent reports describe her as the front-runner to take over the leadership role.
Mandhana’s familiarity with the existing team structure could make the transition smoother. She has been part of India’s senior leadership group for several years and understands the expectations associated with leading the national side.
Other names have also emerged in discussions about the future leadership structure. Deepti Sharma brings extensive international experience and has increasingly taken on leadership responsibilities, while Jemimah Rodrigues represents a younger option with growing influence within the team.
Richa Ghosh has also been mentioned among the potential long-term leadership options. Her age and growing role in India’s white-ball setup could make her a candidate for the future, although there is currently stronger reporting around Mandhana for the immediate succession.
The choice will ultimately depend on the BCCI and selectors’ assessment of the team’s short-term requirements and long-term plans. India already has considerable depth in its senior squad, giving the selectors several possible leadership routes.
It is important to distinguish between being the reported front-runner and being officially appointed captain. As of October 6, 2026, Smriti Mandhana has not been formally confirmed as India’s new all-format captain by the BCCI.
India’s next major assignment is also approaching, with Zimbabwe scheduled to tour India from October 16. That series could provide the first indication of the new leadership structure once the BCCI makes its official decision.
Whoever takes over will inherit a team coming off major successes, including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 Asian Games gold medal. The immediate challenge will be to maintain that winning momentum while building the next generation of Indian women’s cricket.
What This Means for India Women’s Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision marks the end of a major leadership era and opens a new phase for India Women’s cricket.
Harmanpreet Kaur stepping down from the captaincy across all formats represents a significant leadership transition for Indian women’s cricket. She has been one of the central figures in the team for more than a decade and led India through some of its biggest moments.
The immediate challenge for the BCCI and team management will be to establish a new leadership structure without disrupting the progress India has made in recent years. The team enters this transition after winning the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and defending its Asian Games cricket gold medal in 2026. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”2″}
A New Leadership Chapter
The change gives India an opportunity to build around a new captain while retaining the experience of senior players already familiar with international leadership. The BCCI will now have to formalize the succession plan and determine how responsibilities are divided across the three formats.
Smriti Mandhana is widely reported as the leading candidate for the immediate succession, but the BCCI had not formally announced the new captain at the time of Harmanpreet’s resignation. That distinction remains important as India begins its next leadership phase. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”3″}
Harmanpreet’s Experience Remains Valuable
Although Harmanpreet has left the captaincy, she will remain available to play for India. Her experience across Tests, ODIs and T20Is means the team will not be losing her knowledge and influence from the dressing room simply because the leadership role has changed. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”4″}
Her decision could also allow her to concentrate more closely on her individual cricket. Harmanpreet herself said that she was ready to play for the love of the game again, making her role as an experienced senior player one of the important aspects of India’s next phase. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”5″}
Maintaining the Momentum
The biggest task for the new leadership will be maintaining the confidence created by India’s recent successes. Winning the first Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 changed the expectations around the team, while the 2026 Asian Games gold provided another major title soon after.
India therefore enters the transition from a position of strength rather than rebuilding from scratch. The squad has established senior players, emerging talent and recent experience of winning major tournaments. The next captain will be expected to carry that momentum while gradually developing the team’s future leadership group.
For Indian women’s cricket, Harmanpreet’s resignation is ultimately more than a change of captain. It closes one of the most important leadership chapters in the team’s history while allowing a new generation to take greater responsibility. Harmanpreet will remain part of that journey, only now without the captain’s burden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harmanpreet Kaur Stepping Down
Here are the key questions surrounding Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to leave the India Women’s captaincy.
Harmanpreet Kaur said she believed it was the right time to hand over the captaincy and allow India Women to move forward under new leadership. She described the decision as emotional and said she felt she had fulfilled her responsibility to the team.
No. Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from the captaincy but will continue representing India as a player. The BCCI also confirmed that she remains committed to contributing to the team on the field.
Harmanpreet Kaur captained India in 5 Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is. She took charge of the T20I side in 2016 and became the full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022.
Her defining achievement was leading India to its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025. India also won Asian Games gold medals in 2022 and 2026 during her leadership era.
Smriti Mandhana is widely reported as the leading candidate because she has served as Harmanpreet’s vice-captain. However, the BCCI had not formally announced the permanent successor when Harmanpreet stepped down.
Harmanpreet Kaur took charge of India’s T20I team in 2016. She later became the full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022 following Mithali Raj’s retirement from international cricket.
Harmanpreet will continue her career as an India player. The BCCI has highlighted the value of her experience and leadership presence as the team enters a new phase under a future captain.
Final Verdict: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Captaincy Era Ends
Harmanpreet Kaur leaves the India Women’s captaincy after a landmark leadership tenure, but her international journey continues.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down closes one of the most significant captaincy chapters in Indian women’s cricket. She leaves the role after leading India across all three formats and delivering some of the biggest achievements in the team’s history.
Her defining moment came in 2025, when India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup title. She also led India to Asian Games gold medals and remained at the centre of the team through a period of major growth in women’s cricket.
The captaincy may have ended, but Harmanpreet’s India career has not. She has made it clear that she wants to continue playing and contribute to the team without the additional responsibility of leading it.
The next chapter now belongs to a new leadership group. For India Women, the challenge will be to maintain the momentum created during Harmanpreet’s tenure while building a strong and sustainable leadership structure for the future.
For Harmanpreet herself, it is a chance to focus once again on her cricket. As she put it, “Captaincy ends. The journey continues.”
Sources for Harmanpreet Kaur Captaincy News
This article is based on official statements and reliable reporting published following Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down as India Women’s captain.
Primary Sources
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — Official statement acknowledging Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and confirming her decision to step down from captaincy while continuing as an India player.
International Cricket Council (ICC) — Official report confirming that Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as India captain across all formats with immediate effect.
Additional Reporting
Reuters — Independent reporting covering Harmanpreet Kaur’s resignation, captaincy figures, major achievements and her intention to continue playing for India.
The Indian Express — Reporting on Harmanpreet Kaur’s announcement and her statement regarding the end of her captaincy tenure.
Hindustan Times — Reporting on the BCCI review meeting and the leadership transition discussions surrounding the India Women’s team.
Information in this article has been presented according to the latest available reporting as of October 6, 2026. Future announcements regarding India Women’s next captain should be treated as separate updates.
