Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as Captain of India Women's Cricket Team
What happened
On 6 October 2026, Harmanpreet Kaur announced her resignation as captain of the India women's cricket team across all formats.
The Context
- Decade of Leadership: Kaur led India to its first Women's ODI World Cup title in 2025 and multiple Asia Cup and Asian Games victories, transforming women's cricket in India.
- Recent Scrutiny: Despite recent successes, Kaur faced criticism following a disappointing T20 World Cup performance and a dip in her personal form.
- New Leadership: Smriti Mandhana, Kaur's former deputy, has been appointed as the new captain, marking a shift towards a younger leadership approach.
The Number
T20Is captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, the most by any women's captain, highlighting her significant impact on the sport.
Takeaway
As Smriti Mandhana takes the helm, the focus will be on how this leadership transition influences India's performance in upcoming tournaments.
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Harmanpreet Kaur has transformed the Indian women's cricket team, leading them to their first world title following her remarkable innings that instilled confidence in the players. Her leadership has been pivotal in changing the dynamics of women's c...
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Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India women's team captain
Harmanpreet Kaur has announced her resignation as captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats, a decision that follows her leadership in five tests, 51 ODIs, and 155 T20Is, including a historic 50-over World Cup victory on home soil...