New Delhi, October 6,2026: Senior batter Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as India’s captain across all three international formats, shortly after leading the team to its second consecutive Asian Games gold medal.
The 37-year-old has captained India through a highly successful period, including the team’s first women’s global title at last year’s ODI World Cup.
“This is not an easy decision,” Kaur said in a social media post.
She said the decision carried years of memories, emotions, sacrifices and moments that would remain with her for the rest of her life.
“I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket — my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions,” she said.
Kaur, however, indicated that she intends to continue playing international cricket.
“Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” she said.
Questions over Kaur’s leadership had emerged after India suffered a second consecutive group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup in June.
Her captaincy was also reportedly discussed during a review meeting held by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday.
Kaur led India in five Tests, 51 One-Day Internationals and 155 Twenty20 Internationals.
Star batter Smriti Mandhana is among the leading candidates to succeed her. Mandhana played a key role in India’s Asian Games triumph, including a 45-ball 79 in the final against Sri Lanka.
