Fearless skipper: Harmanpreet relinquishes captaincy of Indian team across all formats

India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has relinquished the captaincy with immediate effect. “Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats,” Kaur announced on her Instagram account on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old took the reins in the shortest format in 2016 and became full-time ODI and Test skipper in 2022 following India great Mithali Raj’s departure from international cricket.

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“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.

Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. Pics: BCCI/ICC

“I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket — my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions. There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first,” said Kaur, who led India to their second successive gold medal at the recent Asian Games in Japan.

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The decision came a day after Harmanpreet, India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar met BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in Guwahati to discuss the roadmap of the women’s team going forward.

Had to make difficult decisions as a captain: Harmanpreet

“As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. But every decision I made was with one intention – to make this TEAM better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana

“I have seen it all.
“I have seen the lowest moments, the heartbreak, the criticism, the doubts and the days when nothing seemed to go our way. And I have also experienced the highest highs – the victories, the celebrations, the pride of representing our country, and the moments that made every sacrifice worth it.
“I leave the captaincy today with a heart full of emotions, but also with PEACE. Because I genuinely believe My team is in a good place. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of.

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“I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket.
“Now, it is time for me to turn the page. Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, support staff, management, BCCI, family members every single fan who stood by me through the highs and lows.
“Blood. Sweat. Sacrifice. Pride. I gave it all
“Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again.
“Captaincy ends. The journey continues” Kaur signed off.

Harmanpreet Kaur legacy

Kaur captained India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is, with her final assignment as skipper ending in a second consecutive gold medal (2023 and 2026) for India at the Asian Games recently.

Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Amol Mazumdar

The biggest moment in her career came when she led India to their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title in November last year on home soil. The former skipper is only the third Indian captain, after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to win the 50-over World Cup.

BCCI acknowledges Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and contribution to Indian cricket

She is one of just five Indian captains to have lifted a World Cup, joining Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026, respectively.

Kaur also led India to a silver medal finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where her 65-run knock went in vain in the final after Australia beat her side to claim gold.

Indian women winning the Asian Games gold medal recently

She is also the first man or woman in international cricket to captain her side in more than 150 games in T20Is.

Kaur’s legacy in the shortest format is immense, helping India reach the semifinals at the 2018 and 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, while also finishing as runners-up at the event in 2020.