Cricket

Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women’s Cricket Captain

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 6, 2026, 18:35 IST

Harmanpreet Kaur has resigned from the captaincy across all three formats following a successful tenure that included a maiden World Cup title and Asian Games gold. Tributes have flowed from across the cricketing world.

Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women’s Cricket Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur has officially stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all three formats. The decision follows a recent BCCI review meeting held in Guwahati, which was attended by the skipper, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, head coach Amol Muzumdar, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. Having led the national side through a transformative period, Kaur confirmed her intention to continue representing India as a player, stating she is now ready to focus on playing for the love of the game.

Her leadership tenure is defined by significant milestones that have elevated the profile of women’s cricket in India. Most notably, she captained the side to their maiden Women’s World Cup title in November 2025. This success was followed by a gold medal victory at the Asian Games last month, cementing her legacy as one of the most successful leaders in the history of the sport.

Tributes Pour In From Cricket Fraternity

Following the announcement, members of the cricketing community took to social media to acknowledge Kaur’s contributions. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who shares a connection with the 37-year-old through their shared roots in Punjab, praised her resilience. Sharing an image of Kaur with the 2025 World Cup trophy, Singh noted that she carried the immense pressure and responsibilities of the role with pride, thanking her for her dedication to the nation.

Current opening batter Shafali Verma, who began her international career under Kaur’s guidance, shared a personal reflection on their time together. Verma credited her former captain for providing consistent support both on and off the field, noting that Kaur’s influence was instrumental in shaping the current squad. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan also offered his respects, emphasizing that her legacy extends far beyond the title of captain, highlighting the lasting impact she has left on the sport.