Who will replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India captain? Smriti Mandhana is the reported front-runner after the veteran leader stepped down across format
New Delhi: Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all three formats, raising the biggest question around the team: who will replace her? The 37-year-old World Cup-winning captain confirmed her decision on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati. Smriti Mandhana has emerged as the reported front-runner to take over, although the BCCI has not officially announced Harmanpreet’s successor.
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down after a trophy-filled reign
Harmanpreet brought her all-format captaincy to an end after leading India through one of the most successful periods in the team’s history.
She confirmed the decision through an emotional Instagram post.
“Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats,” Harmanpreet wrote.
She also reflected on the responsibility she carried for several years.
“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 made it clear that she does not plan to retire from international cricket. Instead, she wants to continue playing for India without the additional responsibility of captaincy.
“Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” she wrote.
So, who will replace Harmanpreet Kaur?
The BCCI has not officially named the next captain yet, but Smriti Mandhana is the reported front-runner for the position.
Mandhana already has significant leadership experience and has previously spoken about her ambitions to captain India. Her position as Harmanpreet’s vice-captain also places her among the most prominent candidates for the role.
The transition will require the BCCI to decide how India wants to structure its leadership across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. For now, Mandhana remains a reported contender rather than a confirmed replacement.
Why Smriti Mandhana is in the conversation
Mandhana has become one of the most established names in Indian women’s cricket and has played an important role in the team’s batting group for several years.
She has also operated close to the leadership group as vice-captain. That experience could help India maintain continuity while introducing a new captain.
However, the BCCI has yet to make a formal announcement. Discussions involving Harmanpreet, Mandhana, head coach Amol Muzumdar and BCCI officials were expected to continue as the board worked through the succession process.
The BCCI meeting that preceded Harmanpreet’s decision
Harmanpreet’s announcement came after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia chaired the meeting, which included Harmanpreet, Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar. The board reviewed India’s recent trajectory and discussed the team’s leadership structure.
Harmanpreet’s future as captain and Muzumdar’s position as head coach featured among the issues discussed.
Reports also highlighted Harmanpreet’s recent lean patch as part of the broader context surrounding the meeting. However, that was not presented as the sole reason for her decision to step down.
Harmanpreet’s captaincy record
Harmanpreet leaves the captaincy with a huge record behind her. And led India in 211 matches across all three formats.
| Format | Matches as Captain |
|---|---|
| Tests | 5 |
| ODIs | 51 |
| T20Is | 155 |
| Total | 211 |
She led India in five Tests and suffered only one defeat. She also captained the side in 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is.
Her leadership journey began as early as 2012, when she captained India on a sporadic basis. She eventually became the team’s full-time captain across formats.
She also became the highest-capped player in women’s international cricket this year, adding another landmark to an already remarkable career.
The 2025 ODI World Cup changed everything
Harmanpreet’s greatest achievement as captain came in November 2025.
She led India to its maiden ODI World Cup title on home soil, giving the women’s team its first-ever 50-over World Cup trophy.
The triumph became the defining moment of her captaincy. India had previously reached the ODI World Cup final twice but could not finish the job. Under Harmanpreet, the team finally lifted the trophy on home soil.
That historic victory will remain at the centre of her leadership legacy as India prepares for a new captain.
Two Asian Games gold medals under Harmanpreet
Harmanpreet also guided India to two Asian Games gold medals in cricket.
India most recently defended its Asian Games title at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September-October 2026.
Her captaincy also coincided with India’s success in the Women’s T20 Asian Cup, with the team winning two titles during her leadership.
These victories helped make her captaincy one of the most decorated periods in Indian women’s cricket.
What did Harmanpreet say about the next phase?
Harmanpreet has indicated that she feels comfortable handing over the leadership responsibility at this stage of her career.
“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,” she wrote.
She also said she had “done her duty as leader” and was ready to return her focus to playing.
Her message suggests that she sees the captaincy change as a transition rather than an ending. She believes the team is in a good place and can move forward with a new leader.
What did Diana Edulji say?
Former India captain Diana Edulji welcomed Harmanpreet’s decision.
Edulji said the change would give the next captain enough time to build the team before India’s upcoming assignments.
The timing could therefore allow the BCCI to establish a new leadership structure before India enters another important phase of its international calendar.
When will India announce the new captain?
The BCCI has not yet officially confirmed Harmanpreet’s replacement.
Smriti Mandhana remains the reported front-runner, but the final decision rests with the board.
India’s next assignment is a home series against Zimbabwe beginning October 16, 2026. The board will therefore need to settle the leadership question soon if the new captain is to take charge from the start of that series.
What’s next for Harmanpreet Kaur?
Harmanpreet will continue to play for India across formats. She has made it clear that she is stepping away from the captaincy, not international cricket.
Her next chapter will see her contribute as a senior player while another cricketer takes responsibility for leading the side.
“I gave this team everything I had,” Harmanpreet wrote, reflecting on her time as captain.
Now, India must decide who will carry the captain’s armband into its next era. For the moment, Mandhana stands as the reported front-runner, but the official announcement is still awaited.
