Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India cricket captain across all formats after 10 years

Exit from all-format captaincy

Harmanpreet Kaur announced on 6 October 2026 that she is stepping down as captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all three international formats. The 37-year-old took over as India's permanent Twenty20 captain in 2016 before adding one-day international and Test leadership duties in 2022, eventually becoming all-format leader in 2023. During her tenure, Kaur captained India in five Tests, 51 ODIs, and 155 T20Is, becoming the first cricketer in international cricket to lead a side in more than 150 T20Is. Kaur confirmed that she will remain available to represent India as an active player, stating that she is ready to play for the love of the game again.

This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Tournament record and career milestones

Under Kaur's leadership, India secured their first 50-over Women's Cricket World Cup title in November 2025 on home soil in Navi Mumbai. Her captaincy honours also include two Asian Games gold medals, most recently defending the title against Sri Lanka on 22 September 2026 at the Aichi-Nagoya Games in Japan, alongside a Women's Asia Cup victory in September 2026. She also led India to a Test victory against England at Lord's in July 2026, as well as the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup and semi-finals in 2018 and 2023. Earlier in 2026, Kaur became the most-capped player in the history of women's international cricket.

Background and path to leadership

Born on 8 March 1989 in Moga, Punjab, Kaur grew up playing street cricket before being spotted by Kamaldish Singh Sodhi, who enrolled her at the Gyan Jyoti School cricket academy under coach Yadavinder. She made her international debut for India at the 2009 World Cup against Pakistan at age 20. Kaur first captained India as a stand-in during the 2012 Women's T20 Asia Cup in Guangzhou, where India defeated Pakistan in the final. Her 171 not out from 115 balls against Australia at Derby during the 2017 World Cup brought widespread attention to women's cricket in India.

Review meeting and succession plan

The captaincy change followed a performance review meeting in Guwahati between Kaur, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia, head coach Amol Muzumdar, and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. The evaluation occurred after India failed to advance past the group stage at the T20 World Cup earlier in October 2026. Kaur had previously targeted captaining India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, for which the national side has already qualified, before agreeing to step aside. BCCI president Mithun Manhas praised her decade of leadership following the announcement.

Harmanpreet Kaur's contribution as captain will always hold a special place in the history of Indian cricket.

Smriti Mandhana, who has served as vice-captain since 2022, is expected to assume the captaincy across all three formats. India's next competitive fixtures begin on 16 October 2026, when the team hosts Zimbabwe for three T20Is and three ODIs.