Harmanpreet Resigned! Who Will Be Next Indian Women's Cricket Team Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all three formats, bringing an end to a landmark leadership stint. The 37-year-old announced her decision on Tuesday, shortly after India’s successful Asian Games campaign. Harmanpreet Kaur Indian captain's tenure included India’s historic maiden Women’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025 and a second successive Asian Games gold medal in 2026.

Her decision comes after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati involving the captain, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar. Let's find out who is the top contender for the leadership role after Harmanpreet Kaur captaincy resignation.

Who Would Be New India Women Cricket Captain?

With Harmanpreet stepping aside, Smriti Mandhana appears to be the frontrunner to take over the captaincy. The 30-year-old is currently the vice-captain and has already led India in Harmanpreet’s absence. She also has considerable leadership experience from the Women’s Premier League, where she captains Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Mandhana had previously expressed her readiness to take up the India captaincy, making a transition to her a natural possibility. However, the BCCI is yet to officially announce Harmanpreet’s successor.

Reflecting on her decision, Harmanpreet wrote:

Harmanpreet Kaur Impact on Indian Women's Cricket

The former Indian skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, leaves behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, highlighted by India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025. Under the leadership of one of the best women's cricketers in the world, India also secured Asia Cup titles and consecutive Asian Games gold medals, including the 2026 triumph.

Her leadership was also marked by several historic milestones, including one of the best women's cricket teams in the world's triumph in the ODI and T20I series in England in 2025. She also led India to register their first-ever women’s Test victory at Lord’s Cricket Ground in 2026.
In September 2026, she became the first cricketer in men’s and women’s international cricket to captain a side in 150 T20Is. Earlier this year, she also became the most-capped international player in women’s cricket, surpassing New Zealand’s Suzie Bates.