Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all three formats, bringing an end to her decade-long leadership stint.
The 37-year-old announced her decision on social media on Tuesday, saying she was ready to return to playing the game for the love of cricket. “Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” Harmanpreet wrote in her statement.
Her decision came after a review meeting with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in Guwahati. Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar attended the meeting, where the team’s future and leadership transition were discussed.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy journey
Harmanpreet first led India in T20Is in 2012 and became the full-time T20I captain in 2016. She took over the ODI captaincy in 2022 following Mithali Raj’s retirement and became India’s all-format captain in 2023.
Under her leadership, India achieved several major milestones. The biggest came in 2025, when Harmanpreet led the team to its maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title, with India defeating South Africa in the final. She also led India to Asian Games gold in 2026.
Overall, she captained India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s early life and cricket journey
Harmanpreet was born on March 8, 1989, in Moga, Punjab. She grew up playing cricket with boys at the Guru Nanak Stadium near her home and also participated in hockey and athletics during her school years.
Her father, Harmander Singh Bhullar, worked as a clerk at a local court, while her mother, Satwinder Kaur, was a homemaker. Her father was also a sports enthusiast and encouraged Harmanpreet to pursue sports.
Her cricketing talent was noticed by coach Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi when she was a teenager. She subsequently joined the Gyan Jyoti Cricket Academy in Darapur, where she received cricket coaching and education.
Harmanpreet soon rose through the ranks and made her India debut in 2009. Her career-changing moment came during the 2017 Women’s World Cup, when she smashed an unbeaten 171 against Australia in the semi-final.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s personal life
Harmanpreet has largely kept her personal life away from the spotlight and has not publicly announced a husband or marriage. She is known to share glimpses of her family, cricket journey and life away from the field on social media.
Her family has remained an important part of her journey. Reports have also highlighted how she built a house for her parents in Moga after establishing herself in international cricket.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s net worth
Harmanpreet Kaur’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, media estimates have placed her net worth at around ₹24–26 crore.
Her income comes from several sources, including her BCCI contract, Women’s Premier League earnings and brand endorsements. A 2025 report estimated that she was earning around ₹50 lakh annually under her BCCI Grade A contract and had a ₹1.8 crore WPL deal with Mumbai Indians. These figures are media estimates and can change with contracts and endorsements.
‘I feel I have done my duty’
In her statement, Harmanpreet reflected on the sacrifices and pressure that came with leading India, saying she had given everything she had to the team and Indian women’s cricket.
She said she was leaving the captaincy with “peace” because she believed the team was in a good place and had the talent and character to build a strong future.
Harmanpreet also thanked her teammates, coaches, support staff, BCCI, family and fans for standing by her throughout her leadership journey.
Her exit from the leadership role marks the end of one of the most significant captaincy chapters in Indian women’s cricket. Harmanpreet will now continue as a player.