Sports
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women’s Captain, Smriti Mandhana Takes Helm
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
When Harmanpreet Kaur scored a memorable century against Australia in the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup semi‑final, she changed the course of that match and the trajectory of women’s cricket in India. India lost the final to England that year, but the game gained a permanent place in the hearts of Indian fans. The team later won India’s first women’s World Cup trophy in 2025, a feat that had eluded them in 2017.
Less than a year after victories in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, Kaur has relinquished the captaincy, ending an era in which she became the team’s most influential leader and one of the sport’s most recognisable figures. Star opener Smriti Mandhana, Kaur’s long‑time deputy, has been appointed captain across all formats. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia, coach Amol Muzumdar, Kaur and Mandhana attended the review meeting at which the leadership change was ratified.
The transition was not entirely seamless. Reports suggest the 37‑year‑old Kaur was willing to give up the T20 captaincy immediately but wanted to continue leading the side in One‑Day Internationals and Tests so that younger players could benefit from her experience. The BCCI, however, was intent on a younger person at the helm and opted for the 30‑year‑old Mandhana. The move mirrors the BCCI’s decision to replace Suryakumar Yadav as captain of the men’s T20 side with Shreyas Iyer after India won the World Cup earlier this year.
Kaur’s future as captain had become a subject of intense debate after India’s below‑par performance at the T20 World Cup in England a few months ago. Her own poor form with the bat amplified concerns and prompted the BCCI to consider changes that could help the team meet the growing challenges of a women’s game that continues to expand rapidly around the world. Approaching her 38th birthday, and after almost a decade at the helm, Kaur found herself under increasing scrutiny as her form dipped. Opinion on whether she should continue as captain was sharply divided among former women players and captains. Former cricketer Diana Edulji felt Kaur had done everything that could reasonably have been expected of her and that it was time for a younger captain to take over. Former captain Anjum Chopra argued that Kaur’s experience remained invaluable and that she should stay on. Sensing that the BCCI was strongly inclined toward a change, Kaur opted to step down during the review meeting. She later announced her decision in an emotional Instagram post: “I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. Now, it is time for me to turn the page… Blood. Sweat. Sacrifice. Pride. I gave it all. Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends, the journey continues.”
Kaur’s intention to continue playing now leaves the BCCI with another decision to make about her future. In Suryakumar Yadav’s case, he not only lost the captaincy but also his place in India’s T20 side. Given the depth of talent available in the men’s game, it was easier for Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors to take what was always likely to be a contentious decision. The situation in the women’s game is different. Despite Kaur’s modest recent form, replacing a player of her experience and stature may not be straightforward, as the talent pipeline is not yet as deep as it is in men’s cricket.
Kaur has scripted one of the more memorable careers in women’s cricket. Born into a modest family in Moga, Punjab, she developed a passion for cricket at an early age. Her rise to national recognition came after she joined the Railways, a transition facilitated by Diana Edulji, and moved to Mumbai, where superior facilities helped accelerate her development. She made her India debut in 2009 at the age of 20 and has remained an integral part of the national side across formats ever since.
An all‑rounder for the better part of her first decade, she made herself indispensable with explosive middle‑order batting, crafty off‑spin and sharp fielding. Her blistering century against Australia in the 2017 semi‑final remains one of the defining knocks in the history of the women’s game. India lost to England in the final, but beating Australia was a monumental hurdle overcome and sparked wider interest in women’s cricket in India.
The second decade of her career showcased her prowess both as batter and captain. Having succeeded Mithali Raj as T20 captain in 2016, Kaur assumed charge across all formats in 2022 and guided India to some of the greatest successes in its history. Her leadership was marked by an aggressive pursuit of victory, instilling confidence and ambition in her teammates. She led India to a famous victory over Australia in the semi‑final of the 2025 ODI World Cup, scoring 89, and helped the team defeat South Africa in the final to reach what many regard as the pinnacle of achievement in Indian women’s cricket.
With multiple titles and trophies won under her leadership, Kaur leaves behind a formidable legacy for her successor, Smriti Mandhana, to emulate.