Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as captain of India women's cricket team
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 7, 2026, 11:31 PM
Last updated Oct 7, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from her captaincy of the India women's cricket team across all formats, marking the end of her leadership era. This decision follows India's recent successes in the Asia Cup and Asian Games and comes less than a year after Kaur led the team to its first women's World Cup title in 2025. Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as the new captain, reflecting the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s desire for a younger leadership. Kaur's performance had come under scrutiny, influencing her choice to relinquish the role during a leadership review meeting. She announced her decision in a heartfelt social media post, expressing her dedication to the team and readiness to continue playing.
- •Harmanpreet Kaur ends her captaincy after nearly a decade.
- •Smriti Mandhana is named captain of the India women's team.
- •Kaur led India to its first women's World Cup win in 2025.
- •Kaur's recent form and team performance influenced her decision.
- •Change in leadership reflects BCCI's emphasis on youth.
- 11:31 PMYahoo Sports — She made India fall in love with women's cricket - now her era as captain is over
"The skipper who led India to the historic 2025 World Cup win has stepped down from her role in all three formats.
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