Harmanpreet Kaur’s ten years as a key member of the Indian women’s cricket team’s leadership structure have come to an end with Smriti Mandhana‘s appointment as all-format captain. The decision was made public by the BCCI on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. At a time when the team is still building on recent successes, Mandhana’s promotion represents a major change in Indian women’s cricket.
Mandhana was appointed following Harmanpreet’s resignation as captain. The new captain has led India in four One-Day Internationals and eighteen Twenty20 Internationals, giving him experience leading the team in a variety of formats. Her leadership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which won two Women’s Premier League titles under her captaincy, further enhanced her credentials. I’ve enjoyed playing with you for a long time. Your ten years of leadership have been amazing, and we will work together to bring our country many more honours,” Mandhana posted on Instagram.
Smriti Mandhana was appointed following Harmanpreet Kaur’s resignation as captain
During her time as captain, Harmanpreet made significant contributions to Indian women’s cricket. In addition to leading India to gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games and winning the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, she helped the team win the Asian Games for the second time in a row. In 2012, 2016, and 2022, India won the Women’s Asia Cup under her direction, expanding the team’s tournament history in a variety of formats.
Before establishing herself as the regular T20 International captain starting in 2016, Harmanpreet first assumed leadership of the Indian team in 2012 as an emergency appointment. After Mithali Raj retired in 2022, she took over as ODI and Test captain, solidifying her position as the team’s main leader in all formats during a pivotal time for Indian women’s cricket.
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Reports indicating differences between the two senior players have coincided with the transition. Harmanpreet has clarified, though, that resigning as captain does not mean she will no longer play international cricket. The 37-year-old has stated that she plans to support the new leadership structure going forward and be available for selection.
