India's World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from the role across all three formats of cricket. The batter, 37, led India to their first-ever global women's title at the 2025 50-over World Cup on home soil. Harmanpreet is only the third Indian captain, after men's players Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to guide a team to victory in that event.
Writing on Instagram, Harmanpreet said the decision was not easy, carrying years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with her for the rest of her life. She stated she gave everything she had to the team and to Indian women's cricket - her blood, sweat, time, and many times, a part of her own game and personal ambitions. Harmanpreet's final Test as captain was the 270-run drubbing of England at Lord's in July, the first women's Test held at the ground.
She became T20 captain in 2016 and added the Test and ODI roles when Mithali Raj retired in 2022. India will host Zimbabwe for three T20 internationals and as many ODIs from October 16 before a tour of South Africa in December that is live on Sky Sports. Smriti Mandhana is likely to succeed her as captain.
Harmanpreet added that captaincy may end today, but her love for Indian cricket never will. Blood. Sweat.
Sacrifice. Pride. She gave it all.
Now, she is ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing