Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s team across all three formats after the BCCI decided that a leadership change was needed. The 37-year-old made the decision after a review meeting with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in Guwahati. Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana were told that the selectors wanted a change for the team’s future. The BCCI had waited until the Asian Games ended before discussing the leadership issue.
The decision was not initially what Harmanpreet wanted. She was still keen to continue as captain across all formats because she felt her experience was needed by the team. Later, Harmanpreet admitted that her T20 batting form had not been at its best and said she could step down to make way for the younger generation. However, she also wanted to continue leading India in Tests and ODIs. The BCCI, though, remained firm on making a leadership change after reviewing the team’s performances.
The discussion came after India’s disappointing exit from the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England. The selectors had strongly indicated that a change was needed after India failed to reach the semi-finals. Harmanpreet had overseen success in the previous two months. India won the T20 Asia Cup and then claimed gold at the Asian Games under her leadership. Her captaincy therefore ends after a period that included both achievements and a disappointing World Cup campaign, while her long association with the role comes to an end.
Harmanpreet announced the decision on Tuesday through Instagram, ending almost a decade as India’s captain. Her biggest achievement in the role came in 2025, when India won their first-ever ODI World Cup title on home soil after defeating South Africa in the final. Reflecting on what the captaincy had meant to her, Harmanpreet wrote, “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,” Harmanpreet wrote.
Harmanpreet first became India’s T20I captain in 2016, taking over from Mithali Raj, before later becoming captain across all formats. Despite leaving the leadership role, she made it clear that she was not leaving the game. “Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” she added. Her decision now leaves India preparing for a new captain, with Smriti Mandhana widely expected to take over. For Harmanpreet, the next chapter will be about continuing her career without the responsibility of leading the side.
Just two days before the announcement, Harmanpreet was in Chandigarh cheering for her state side during the Rama Atray Memorial T20 final. She was also seen batting at the centre wicket against local bowlers, with India head coach Amol Muzumdar present during the session. Her involvement at the ground came shortly before she announced her decision to step down. The sequence of events marked the closing of an important chapter in her leadership journey, after years of carrying the responsibility for India across formats.
Harmanpreet’s decision closes a major chapter in Indian women’s cricket. Her time as captain included the landmark ODI World Cup triumph in 2025, while also bringing pressure and scrutiny during difficult periods. The 2026 T20 World Cup exit became the latest setback before the BCCI decided that a change was necessary. After almost a decade in charge, Harmanpreet will now continue as a player. Her leadership legacy includes the World Cup title, difficult moments, sacrifices and memories that have shaped her long journey with Indian cricket.
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