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Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as the captain of the India women’s national cricket team across all formats on Tuesday (October 6). Harmanpreet Kaur announced the decision on social media, bringing an end to her memorable leadership stint with India.
She dropped the bombshell after the BCCI review on Monday (October 5) in Guwahati. The BCCI held a review meeting with the India women’s national cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar.
Harmanpreet Kaur resigns as India captain following BCCI review meeting
Following the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia heading the meeting in Guwahati, Harmanpreet Kaur has suddenly announced her exit as the India captain, opening the door for Smriti Mandhana to lead the new generation of players across the formats. She was already serving as Kaur’s deputy.
In her long and emotional post on the social media platform Instagram, Harmanpreet said that she has seen some unforgettable victories, heartbreaking defeats, intense criticism, and several memorable moments, including the ODI World Cup victory and Asian Games gold.
Kaur also said that she gave everything to the Indian team and often kept her own performance, growth, and personal ambitions aside to put the team first. Amid this, BCCI takes control of Bihar team selection, appoints special panel ahead of Ranji Trophy 2026-27.
Harmanpreet Kaur wrote on Instagram: “Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats. 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.
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. As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions.”
Harmanpreet Kaur opens up on highs and lows of India captaincy
The Indian star said that she had to make this decision as captain, and her every call was to make the team better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves during her stint.
Kaur said that she has seen the lowest moments, the heartbreak, the criticism, the doubts and the days when nothing was going on her way. But at the same time, she also experienced the victories, the celebrations, the pride of representing the country, and the moments that made every sacrifice worth it. However, her journey as an Indian cricketer will continue.
She thanked her teammates, coaches, support staff, management, BCCI, family members and every single fan for standing by her during the highs and lows. Harmanpreet also expressed her desire to continue playing cricket purely for the love of the game.
Blood, Sweat, Sacrifice: Harmanpreet Kaur leaves India captaincy with pride
Harmanpreet further wrote, “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. I feel I have done my duty.”
She added, “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. Blood. Sweat. Sarifice. Pride. I gave it all. Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues.”
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