Harmanpreet Kaur: A great era has come to an end in the Indian women's cricket team. Harmanpreet Kaur, who commanded the team for almost a decade, has decided to step down from the captaincy of all formats. Now she will be a part of the Indian team only as a player. After his decision, the chances of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana becoming the next captain have become stronger.
Tezzbuzz Desk – There has been a big change regarding captaincy in the Indian women's cricket team. Harmanpreet Kaur has decided to step down from the captaincy of all formats. After leading the team for almost a decade, Harmanpreet will now be a part of the Indian team only as a player. After his decision, the chances of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana becoming the next captain of the team have become quite strong.
After the end of the Asian Games, BCCI held a review meeting of the women's team. According to the report, along with BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia, women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana were also present in this meeting held in Guwahati. During this time both of them were told that the selectors wanted a change in the leadership. The board believed that keeping the future in mind, now the time has come to prepare a new captain.
Harmanpreet Kaur wanted to continue the captaincy. He believed that the team still needs experience and he is fully prepared to captain in all formats. However, he later admitted that his batting in T20 cricket was not as expected. In such a situation, she can leave the captaincy to give opportunity to young players. However, she wanted to remain the captain of the ODI and Test teams. BCCI did not change its opinion on the decision to change all formats.
Harmanpreet Kaur took over the captaincy of the T20 team in 2016 and later got this responsibility in all three formats. Under his captaincy, India won the ODI World Cup title in 2025. This was also the team's first ICC trophy. Along with this, the Indian team won gold medals in both the Asian Games.
Under the captaincy of Harmanpreet, the Indian team also made it to the final of the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time in 2020. Now after his removal from the captaincy, all eyes are on who will be handed over the command of the team. At present, Smriti Mandhana's name is being considered at the forefront.