Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down As Women's Captain Across All formats

Indian women captain Harmanpreet Kaur has announced her resignation as the skipper of the women's team in all three formats.

The 37-year-old revealed her decision in a lengthy statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday, Oct. 6. She has announced that she will not be captaining India anymore, but will be playing along as a player.

The news comes few hours after Harmanpreet has led to India's second gold in the women's cricket at the Asian Games.

She stated that she had fulfilled her duty. She remarked that, “I Feel I Have Done My Duty.” Harmanpreet also said it is not easy to part with all the memories, sacrifice and responsibilities that have come with representing the national team for years.

She said that she was leaving the captaincy with a sense of peace as she believed that Indian team has talent and a bright future.

Harmanpreet also announced that it would allow her to again focus on the game of cricket without any influence.

The decision will be implemented if the BCCI Review Meeting feels that it is appropriate.

Harmanpreet's statement has come after a review meeting of the Indian women team, held in Guwahati, where their performance and future trajectory was discussed by the BCCI.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, head coach Amol Muzumdar and Harmanpreet attended the meeting.

When India did well, the captaincy question had arisen, but the former captain Harmanpreet announced her resignation from the captaincy in all formats.

Ten Years Of Leadership

Harmanpreet captained India for the first time in 2012 and took over the task of being India's full-time T20I captain in 2016. She then replaced Mithali Raj, who retired from international cricket in 2022, for India, assuming the ODI captaincy and eventually competing on the field in all formats.

During her captaincy tenure, she made five appearances in Test cricket, 51 appearances in ODI cricket and 155 appearances in T20s. She also led India in over 150 T20Is for the first time, male or female.

The career takes a turn for the better when Italy is defeated in the World Cup

Harmanpreet's greatest success as captain was when India won their first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in 2025.

Harmanpreet became the first Indian woman captain in the country to win the senior ICC World Cup championship when they beat South Africa in the final on home soil. She is the third Indian captain, after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to win the 50-over World Cup.

She has also represented India in women's cricket and won the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022 and gold medals in the Asian Games 2022 and 2026.

Smriti Mandhana is likely to be the next big step and will be expected in contention to all-format captain, although the official announcement is yet to be made.

Additionally for India, its next test comes against Zimbabwe, at home, from October 16 when it can potentially be ready for a new era in leadership.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

[email protected]

Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

Read More