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Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women's Cricket Captain
Harmanpreet Kaur has resigned as captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats following a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati. The 37-year-old, who led India to its first Women's Cricket World Cup title and consecutive Asian Games gold medals, said she is ready to focus on playing for the love of the game while continuing as a player.
Quick Facts
- Harmanpreet Kaur resigned as captain of Indian women's cricket team across all formats
- BCCI review meeting held in Guwahati
- India won maiden Women's Cricket World Cup in November 2025
- India won Women's Asia Cup
- India won consecutive gold medals at Asian Games (2022, 2026)
Harmanpreet Kaur announced her resignation as captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats on October 6, 2026, following a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati. The 37-year-old, who led India to its maiden Women's Cricket World Cup title in November 2025, said the decision was not easy but that she is now ready to focus on playing for the love of the game. She will continue as a player.
Kaur's resignation came after a review meeting chaired by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, attended by Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, and head coach Amol Muzumdar. The meeting examined the team's trajectory following India's failure to qualify for the knockouts at the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in England. However, India subsequently won the Women's Asia Cup and secured consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games in 2022 and 2026.
During her tenure, Kaur captained India in 5 Tests, 51 ODIs, and 155 T20Is. She became only the third Indian captain—after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni—to win the 50-over World Cup. In T20 Internationals, she captained in 155 matches with 92 wins (59.35 win percentage), and led India to back-to-back Asian Games gold medals. Her resignation ends a decade-long tenure in the T20 format, which began in 2016.
Former captain Diana Edulji welcomed Kaur's decision, stating it was taken in the interest of women's cricket's future by allowing time for the new captain to establish team chemistry. Edulji noted Kaur was stepping down at a time when people ask "why" rather than "why not," highlighting strong recent performances. Reports indicate the BCCI intends to build the team around Smriti Mandhana for the next World Cup and the LA Olympic Games, with formal announcement of the new captain expected when selectors meet to pick the squad for the Zimbabwe series.
Why This Matters
Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation as captain of all formats marks a structural change in Indian women's cricket leadership following mixed tournament results in 2026. The BCCI review meeting outcomes signal a tactical shift toward building the team around vice-captain Smriti Mandhana ahead of the next World Cup cycle and LA Olympic Games. Kaur's decade-long tenure in T20 captaincy (2016–2026) and three major tournament wins (2025 World Cup, 2026 Asia Cup, and consecutive Asian Games golds) end with formal succession still pending official announcement when selectors meet for the Zimbabwe series squad.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2016
WireHarmanpreet Kaur took over as T20 captain
Jan 1, 2018
WireIndia reached semi-finals at ICC Women's T20 World Cup
Oct 5, 2026
WireBCCI review meeting held in Guwahati
Oct 6, 2026
WireHarmanpreet Kaur announced resignation as captain across all formats
Related Signals
Sources
- कप्तानी छोड़ी, दर्द खोला… हरमनप्रीत कौर बोलीं- टीम के लिए अपना खेल तक कुर्बान कियाAaj TakMediaOct 6, 2026
- हरमनप्रीत ने सभी फॉर्मेट से कप्तानी छोड़ी: उनकी अगुआई में भारत ने पहली बार महिला वर्ल्डकप जीता; स्मृति मंधा...Dainik BhaskarMediaOct 6, 2026
- Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captainICCMediaOct 6, 2026
- Harmanpreet steps down after BCCI review meetingCricbuzzMediaOct 6, 2026
- Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as captain of India women's teamThe HinduMediaOct 6, 2026