NEW DELHI, Oct 7: Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all three formats after Harmanpreet Kaur decided to step down from the leadership role, bringing an important chapter in Indian women’s cricket to an end.
Harmanpreet announced her decision on October 6, saying she would continue her playing career despite relinquishing the captaincy. Her departure from the leadership position comes after a highly successful tenure that included India’s historic triumph in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and gold medal victories at the Asian Games.
The 37 year old Harmanpreet had been a central figure in India’s rise as a major force in international women’s cricket. She captained the side in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is, while also becoming one of the most experienced players in the women’s game. Reuters reported that India won four T20 Asia Cup titles and two Asian Games gold medals during her leadership.
Her biggest achievement came in 2025 when India lifted the Women’s 50-over World Cup on home soil. The title represented a landmark moment for the team and strengthened the belief that India could consistently compete for major international honours.
Harmanpreet also guided India to another Asian Games gold medal in 2026. The team defeated Sri Lanka convincingly in the women’s T20 final, with Smriti Mandhana playing a major role in India’s campaign. Mandhana scored 79 in the final and became the first woman to cross 11,000 international runs during the tournament.
The transition now places Mandhana at the centre of India’s next phase. The 30-year-old opener has already accumulated considerable leadership experience, having previously served as vice-captain and led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs. She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles.
Mandhana’s appointment therefore represents continuity rather than a complete break from the previous leadership structure. She has worked closely with Harmanpreet for several years and has been part of India’s most successful recent campaigns.
In her first response to the appointment, Mandhana described the opportunity to lead India as a major honour and acknowledged Harmanpreet’s contribution to the team’s progress.
The change also comes at a significant stage in Indian women’s cricket. The team has moved from being a competitive international side to one expected to challenge for trophies across formats. The pressure on Mandhana will consequently extend beyond individual performances, with expectations surrounding results, player development and the creation of a strong group for the next World Cup cycle.
Harmanpreet’s decision does not mean the end of her international career. She has made it clear that she intends to remain available as a player, giving Mandhana the advantage of having an experienced campaigner within the dressing room.
That arrangement could prove valuable during the transition. Harmanpreet’s experience in high-pressure matches, combined with Mandhana’s understanding of the modern white-ball game, could provide India with a blend of established knowledge and a new leadership approach.
Mandhana has already demonstrated that she can handle responsibility at the highest level. Her performances have made her one of the most recognisable names in women’s cricket, while her domestic leadership experience has given her an additional understanding of managing players and building a winning environment.
Her promotion also signals the confidence of the selectors in her ability to guide the side through the next stage of its development.
The immediate focus will be on maintaining the standards established during Harmanpreet’s tenure. India now have to ensure that their recent success becomes a sustained pattern rather than a short period of achievement.
For Harmanpreet, the change provides an opportunity to concentrate more heavily on her batting and overall contribution as a senior player. Removing the captaincy could allow her to approach matches with fewer leadership responsibilities and greater freedom at the crease.
Her decision is also significant because she remains one of India’s most experienced active players. Her presence alongside Mandhana could make the transition smoother while allowing younger members of the squad to benefit from her experience.
For Mandhana, however, the challenge will be to establish her own leadership identity. She will inherit a team with considerable expectations and a growing pool of talented players. Managing established stars while integrating emerging cricketers will be among her key responsibilities.
The appointment is being viewed as a natural progression for a player who has been closely involved with Indian cricket’s recent transformation.
India’s women’s team enters this new phase with a strong foundation. The World Cup triumph, Asian Games success and growing depth have raised expectations considerably.
Mandhana’s task will now be to build on that foundation and guide the team into another successful era, while Harmanpreet continues to contribute on the field in a different capacity.
The change marks the end of Harmanpreet’s captaincy but not her association with India’s leadership group. At the same time, it opens the door for Mandhana to shape the next generation of Indian women’s cricket.