Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as India captain across all formats following a review meeting conducted by the BCCI in Guwahati on Monday.
Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar were present at the meeting, which was chaired by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. The discussions came amid growing calls for a change in leadership following India’s disappointing Women’s T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year.
Harmanpreet subsequently informed the board of her decision to relinquish the captaincy in both ODIs and T20Is.
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down: Decision comes despite recent turnaround
The timing of Harmanpreet’s departure comes after a significant turnaround in India’s results.
India failed to reach the knockout stage of the T20 World Cup in England, prompting questions over Harmanpreet’s future as captain. The team responded with consecutive title wins, first at the Women’s Asia Cup in the UAE and then at the Asian Games in Japan, where India secured the gold medal.
Those victories changed the mood around the team but were not enough to alter the discussions surrounding the captaincy.
It is understood that Harmanpreet was given the option of retaining leadership of the ODI side while stepping down as T20I captain. With relatively few Test matches in the women’s calendar, that would have allowed her to continue leading India in the 50-over format.
She instead opted to relinquish the captaincy in both formats.
Mandhana set to lead India
The BCCI is now expected to build the team around Mandhana ahead of the next major cycle, with the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics among the key targets.
Mandhana has served as Harmanpreet’s long-time deputy and is expected to take over as captain. A formal announcement is likely when the selectors meet to finalise India’s squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe series.
The selectors are expected to meet in Guwahati shortly, with the announcement potentially coming within the next 24 hours.
The change marks a significant transition for an Indian side that has been led by Harmanpreet across several major tournaments.
Zimbabwe series next on India’s calendar
India’s next assignment will be a six-match white-ball series against Zimbabwe, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs.
The tour will be historic for Zimbabwe, who are set to visit India for the first time for a bilateral women’s series.
The T20I matches will be played in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, followed by three ODIs in Baroda on October 23, 26 and 28.
The ODI series will also form part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29.
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