Smriti Mandhana has been named the new captain of the Indian women’s cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the leadership role.
The BCCI confirmed Mandhana’s appointment on Tuesday, October 6, bringing a new chapter to Indian women’s cricket. Harmanpreet will continue to play for India and has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe.
Mandhana is one of the most experienced players in the current Indian side and has been part of the national team since 2013. Her appointment as the new Indian womens captain is not completely new territory for her either. She has already led India on several occasions and has also enjoyed success as a captain in the Women’s Premier League.
Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy experience
Mandhana has previously captained India in 22 white ball international matches.
She has led the team in 18 T20Is. India won 11 of those games and lost six while one match ended without a result.
Her ODI captaincy record is even stronger. Mandhana has led India in four ODIs so far and won all four matches.
She has also built a strong reputation as a leader in the Women’s Premier League. Mandhana captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026.
Across 35 WPL matches as captain of RCB, she has recorded 18 wins and 17 defeats.
Her experience with India and RCB means she takes over the national captaincy with a good understanding of the demands that come with leading a high profile team.
Mandhana thanks Harmanpreet Kaur
After being confirmed as India’s new captain, Mandhana recognised Harmanpreet Kaur’s contribution to the team and the work she has done during her time as captain.
“I would also like to acknowledge Harmanpreet and the contribution she has made as captain over the years. She has led the team with great commitment and has been an important part of our journey,” she said.
Mandhana also spoke about what it means to now lead India.
“To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour. Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply. I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and look forward to working with the team, learning along the way and giving my best to take Indian Cricket forward.”
Harmanpreet may no longer be captain but she remains an important member of the Indian side.
She has been selected for both squads for the Zimbabwe series and her experience should continue to be valuable as Mandhana settles into the role.
Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma named vice-captains
India will have different vice-captains for the T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Shafali Verma will be Mandhana’s deputy during the three T20Is.
For the ODI series, all-rounder Deepti Sharma has been appointed vice-captain.
India will play three T20Is in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20.
The teams will then travel to Vadodara for three ODIs which are scheduled for October 23, 25 and 28.
The selectors have kept several regular players in both squads while also giving opportunities to a few players who have impressed at domestic level and for India A.
Niki Prasad earns maiden India T20I call-up
One of the biggest additions to India’s T20I squad is Niki Prasad.
The 20-year-old Karnataka batter has received her first senior India call-up after producing some impressive performances.
Niki is a right-handed middle order batter who has also played for Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League.
She has scored 153 runs from seven WPL innings.
Her recent performances against Australia A appear to have strengthened her case for selection.
Niki scored half-centuries across all three formats during the series.
She made 91 in the one-off three-day match and followed it with 76 in the third one-day game.
She also produced an unbeaten 54 from just 31 balls in the second T20 match of the series.
Those performances have now earned her an opportunity to be part of India’s senior T20I setup.
Anushka Brijmohan Sharm returns to India's T20I squad
Anushka Sharma is another player returning to the Indian T20I squad.
She has already represented India in three T20Is which came against South Africa earlier this year.
Anushka also plays for Gujarat Giants in the WPL and has scored 177 runs from seven innings.
Like Niki Prasad, she was involved in the recent series against Australia A.
She made a strong impression in the one-day matches by scoring three consecutive half-centuries.
Her consistency has now helped her earn another opportunity with the senior Indian team.
Jemimah Rodrigues continues injury recovery
Jemimah Rodrigues is not part of the Zimbabwe squads as she continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
The injury was suffered during The Hundred and she is still working her way back to full fitness.
India’s T20I squad also does not include Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh Thakur, Radha Yadav and Bharti Fulmali.
Niki Prasad, Anushka Sharma, Prema Rawat, Jintimani Kalita and Minnu Mani are among the players coming into the T20I setup.
Renuka has however been selected for the ODI series.
Tejal Hasabnis returns to the ODI squad
Tejal Hasabnis has also been brought back into India’s ODI squad.
The 29-year-old middle order batter recently scored two half-centuries in the one-day series against Australia A.
She has previously played six ODIs for India.
Her most recent international appearance came against Ireland in January 2025.
The selectors have also included Yastika Bhatia, Nandni Sharma and Sayali Satghare in the ODI squad.
Uma Chetry, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur are among the players who miss out after being part of India’s ODI squad against Australia earlier in the year.
Jemimah Rodrigues is also absent because of her ongoing recovery.
India’s T20I squad against Zimbabwe
Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma (VC), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.
India’s ODI squad against Zimbabwe
Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (VC), Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.
A new chapter for the Indian women’s team
Mandhana becoming the new Indian womens captain is one of the biggest changes to the team’s leadership in recent years.
She already has plenty of international experience and has shown that she can handle captaincy through her performances with both India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The presence of Harmanpreet Kaur should also help during the transition. While Mandhana will now make the major decisions on the field, she will still have one of India’s most experienced players alongside her.
The Zimbabwe series will be Mandhana’s first opportunity to begin shaping the team under her leadership.
It will also give India a chance to test some younger players including Niki Prasad while bringing back players such as Anushka Sharma and Tejal Hasabnis.
With a mixture of experienced internationals and emerging talent in both squads, the upcoming series could provide an early look at the direction India plans to take under Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy.