Harmanpreet Kaur has decided to step away from one of the biggest responsibilities in Indian women’s cricket. The 37-year-old has resigned as the captain of the India women’s cricket team across all three formats, bringing an end to a long leadership journey that produced some of the biggest moments in the team’s history.
Kaur announced the decision on October 6 through a post on Instagram. She said she is ready to return to the game without the pressure of captaincy after giving years of her career to leading India. Her decision comes after she helped India reach several important milestones, including their first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025.
Harmanpreet Kaur Confirms Captaincy Resignation
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Kaur made it clear that leaving the captaincy was not an easy decision. Her time as India captain included major wins, difficult defeats, personal sacrifices, and the responsibility of leading a team that has grown rapidly over the 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.
“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,” she said.
Her words match the length and importance of her captaincy. Kaur led India in 211 international matches across formats. She also became the most-capped player in women’s T20I cricket as a captain, leading India in a record 155 WT20Is.
When Did Harmanpreet Kaur First Become India Captain?
Kaur’s leadership journey started long before she became India’s full-time captain.
She first led India as a stand-in captain during the 2012 Asia Cup. She later took charge of the T20I team on a more permanent basis, becoming India’s T20I captain in 2016. After Mithali Raj retired from international cricket in 2022, Kaur became India’s full-time captain across the ODI and Test formats as well.
That made her the leader of India across all three formats and gave her a unique place in the team’s history.
Her captaincy also came during a major period of growth for women’s cricket in India. The team moved from regularly competing with the best sides to winning major tournaments and series.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Biggest Achievements as Captain
The biggest achievement of Kaur’s captaincy came in 2025, when India won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time. Kaur became the captain who led India to their maiden world title in the tournament.
But the World Cup was only one part of her leadership record.
Under Kaur, India won the 2012, 2016 and 2022 Asia Cup editions. India also won gold medals at the 2022 and 2026 Asian Games.
Kaur also led India to a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Soon after that period, India recorded their first bilateral WODI series win over England since 1999.
Her captaincy also included India’s growing success in bilateral cricket. In 2025, India won both the ODI and T20I series in England, while the team also recorded a historic women’s Test victory at Lord’s.
These achievements explain why Kaur’s resignation marks such an important change for Indian women’s cricket.
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Harmanpreet Kaur Captaincy Record
| Format | Matches as captain | Wins | Losses |
| Tests | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| ODIs | 51 | 30 | 19 |
| T20Is | 155 | 92 | 57 |
| Total | 211 | 126 | 77 |
Kaur finished her leadership career with strong numbers across formats.
In ODIs, she captained India in 51 matches, winning 30 and losing 19, with two matches ending as tied or no-result.
Her ODI captaincy also included some of her best batting performances. As captain, she scored 1,804 runs, including four centuries, with a highest score of 143*. Her ability to contribute with the bat while carrying the responsibility of captaincy made her an important part of India’s middle order.
In T20Is, Kaur’s numbers are even more remarkable because of the length of her tenure. She captained India in a record 155 matches, winning 92 and losing 57, with six matches ending as tied or no-result. No other player has captained a women’s T20I side more often.
She also led India in five Tests, winning four and losing one. That gave her an overall record of 126 wins across 211 matches as India’s captain, while 77 ended in defeats and the remaining eight were tied or had no result.
Her numbers show that Kaur was not simply a long-serving captain. She was also one of India’s most successful leaders.
Harmanpreet Kaur Will Continue Playing for India
Kaur has made one important point clear: she is not retiring from international cricket.
She wants to continue playing for India but without the responsibility of leading the team.
“Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will. 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,” she said.
That could give Kaur a different role in the Indian team. Without the pressure of making every major decision, she can now focus more on her batting, fitness and experience.
Her decision also comes at a time when India have a strong group of experienced players and young talent. Kaur herself believes the team is ready for the next chapter.
“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. 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,” Harmanpreet Kaur said.
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Smriti Mandhana Could Take Over From Harmanpreet Kaur
The biggest question now is who will replace Kaur as India’s next full-time captain.
Smriti Mandhana looks like the strongest candidate. She has already served as India’s vice-captain and has experience leading the side when Kaur has been unavailable. She was also named Kaur’s deputy when Kaur took over the ODI captaincy from Mithali Raj in 2022.
Mandhana has also shown that she can handle leadership responsibility. She has captained India in several matches and has been part of the team’s leadership group for years.
If the selectors choose Mandhana, she could take India into a new era while Kaur continues to contribute as an experienced senior player.
A New Chapter for Indian Women’s Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy has now reached its end, but her impact on Indian women’s cricket will remain much bigger than the numbers on her captaincy record.
She led India through a period of major change and ended her tenure with the country’s first Women’s Cricket World Cup title. Now, she wants to play simply for the love of the game.
Kaur has handed over the leadership responsibility, but she has not closed the door on her India career. The next chapter could see her play a different role, while Smriti Mandhana potentially takes charge of a team that now carries the confidence of being world champions.
Will Smriti Mandhana be the right choice to lead India into the next era after Harmanpreet Kaur? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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