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Indian women’s cricket has witnessed a major leadership change. Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats. However, the veteran all-rounder will continue to play for India.
Harmanpreet announced her decision on Tuesday, October 6, just a day after the BCCI review meeting in Guwahati. Head coach Amol Muzumdar and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana were also present at the meeting.
The decision has sparked a major discussion in Indian cricket, with one question dominating the headlines: Who will replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India women’s next captain? Smriti Mandhana is currently considered the leading contender for the role.
Harmanpreet Kaur Quits India Women’s Captaincy Across Formats
Harmanpreet Kaur has decided to step down from the captaincy across all formats but will continue her international career as a player.
The experienced all-rounder described the decision as difficult, saying that her leadership journey has been filled with years of memories, emotions, sacrifices and unforgettable moments.
Harmanpreet has been one of the most important leaders in Indian women’s cricket. During her captaincy, the team achieved several major milestones and continued to establish itself as a strong force in international cricket.
Why Did Harmanpreet Kaur Step Down as India Captain?
Harmanpreet’s decision came shortly after the BCCI held a review meeting regarding the Indian women’s team in Guwahati.
The meeting was attended by head coach Amol Muzumdar and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, among others. Harmanpreet’s decision a day later has led to widespread speculation about the team’s future leadership.
However, the exact reasons behind her decision have not been officially detailed beyond her emotional message about ending her captaincy journey.
Importantly, Harmanpreet has confirmed that she will continue playing cricket for India.
BCCI Review Meeting Raises Big Questions Over India’s Next Captain
The BCCI review meeting has become an important part of the leadership transition.
With Harmanpreet stepping down, the board and selectors will now have to decide who can lead India across the different formats.
The next captain will have the responsibility of taking forward the team’s recent success while preparing the squad for upcoming international assignments.
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Smriti Mandhana Emerges as Top Contender for India Captaincy
Smriti Mandhana has emerged as the strongest contender to succeed Harmanpreet Kaur as India women’s cricket captain.
Mandhana is already the team’s vice-captain and has extensive experience in international cricket. She has been one of India’s most consistent batters and an important member of the team for more than a decade.
Her seniority, experience and current role as vice-captain make her a natural candidate for the leadership position.
However, the BCCI has not officially announced the next captain yet, so the final decision is still awaited.
Smriti Mandhana’s Impressive Record as India’s Star Batter
Smriti Mandhana made her international debut for India in 2013 and has since become one of the leading names in women’s cricket.
She has represented India across Tests, ODIs and T20Is and has produced several memorable performances.
In ODI cricket, Mandhana has played 120 matches and scored more than 5,400 runs, including multiple centuries and half-centuries.
She has also been a key batter in T20I cricket, where her ability to score quickly at the top of the order has made her one of India’s biggest match-winners.
Mandhana has also made an impact in Test cricket and has scored important runs for the national side.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Captaincy Record and Biggest Achievement
Harmanpreet Kaur has been one of India’s longest-serving leaders in women’s cricket.
She has captained India in both ODI and T20I cricket and guided the team through several major international tournaments.
Her biggest achievement as captain came with India’s historic Women’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025.
The title marked a major milestone for Indian women’s cricket and became one of the defining moments of Harmanpreet’s leadership career.
Although she has now stepped down from captaincy, Harmanpreet’s experience will continue to be valuable to the Indian team as a senior player.
India Women’s Team Faces a Major Leadership Change
Harmanpreet’s decision marks the beginning of a new chapter for Indian women’s cricket.
If Smriti Mandhana takes over, she will inherit a team that has recently achieved major success. Her challenge will be to maintain that momentum while developing a strong leadership group for the future.
Mandhana could also benefit from Harmanpreet’s continued presence in the squad, allowing the team to retain valuable experience during the transition.
When Will BCCI Announce the New India Women’s Captain?
The BCCI is yet to officially announce Harmanpreet Kaur’s successor.
While Smriti Mandhana is currently the frontrunner, the final decision will depend on the BCCI and the selection committee.
The official announcement is expected to provide clarity on India’s leadership plans across formats.
What’s Next for Smriti Mandhana and Team India?
The focus now shifts to the future of the Indian women’s cricket team.
If appointed captain, Smriti Mandhana will take charge of a side with high expectations following its recent success. Her leadership skills, international experience and familiarity with the squad could make her a strong choice for the role.
For now, Smriti Mandhana remains the leading name to replace Harmanpreet Kaur, but fans will have to wait for the BCCI’s official confirmation before the new captain is announced.
Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur Quits India Captaincy, Fans Stunned
