Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 6: India women's World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Tuesday announced her decision to step down as captain across all three formats, bringing an end to her nearly decade-long leadership stint.
The 37-year-old made the announcement in a lengthy Instagram post following India's gold-medal triumph at the 2026 Asian Games. She confirmed that she will continue to represent India as a player.
Harmanpreet said the decision was not easy but believed it was the right time for a change and that stepping down would help the team move forward.
Her decision came after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati involving Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, head coach Amol Muzumdar and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, where the team's future plans were discussed.
Harmanpreet began leading India in T20Is in 2016 and later became the full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022 following Mithali Raj's retirement. She led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is.
Under her leadership, India won their maiden Women's ODI World Cup in 2025, defeating South Africa in the final on home soil. Harmanpreet also led India to gold at the 2022 and 2026 Asian Games and a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Harmanpreet's captaincy record includes 93 wins in 155 T20Is, 30 wins in 51 ODIs and four wins in five Tests. She became the first cricketer to captain a team in 150 T20I matches.
In her statement, Harmanpreet said she had given everything to the team and Indian women's cricket, often putting her individual ambitions aside for the team's interests.
She said she had faced difficult moments, criticism and setbacks during her tenure, but also experienced victories and achievements that made the sacrifices worthwhile.
Harmanpreet said she was stepping down with confidence that the team was in a good position, with talent, character and belief, and that she was looking forward to being part of its future as a player.
"Captaincy ends. The journey continues," she said, making it clear that she intends to continue playing for India.
The Indian team is now expected to appoint a new captain across all three formats. Smriti Mandhana has emerged as a likely successor, with India's next assignment against Zimbabwe beginning on October 16.