India's World Cup-Winning Captain Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down From Role Across All Three Formats

Sky Sports•Published: Oct 6, 2026 01:15 PM IST

Harmanpreet Kaur has officially stepped down as captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all three formats, marking the end of a historic tenure. The 37-year-old batter, who led India to their first-ever global title at the 2025 50-over World Cup, announced her departure via social media, citing a desire to focus on her game.

Historic Leadership: Kaur is only the third Indian captain, joining Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to guide an Indian team to a 50-over World Cup victory.
Extensive Tenure: Over her career, she captained the side in five Tests, 51 one-day internationals, and 155 T20 internationals.
Final Success: Her final act as captain included securing a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal after a dominant victory over Sri Lanka.

The Context & Background

Kaur took over the Test and ODI captaincy in 2022 following the retirement of Mithali Raj, having already served as T20 captain since 2016. She leaves the leadership role with the team in a strong position, with Smriti Mandhana widely expected to be her successor.

Why it matters:Kaur’s resignation marks a significant transition for Indian women's cricket, as she leaves behind a legacy of unprecedented success and professionalization. Her departure signals a new era for the team as they prepare for upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with the focus now shifting to who will inherit the mantle of leadership.

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