Who Will Replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India Women’s Cricket Team Captain? Smriti Mandhana Emerges as Top Candidate

Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down as India women’s captain across Tests, ODIs and T20Is has brought an end to her long spell at the helm and set the stage for a new leadership phase. Harmanpreet confirmed on Tuesday that she would give up the captaincy in all three formats while remaining available for selection as a player. With her exit, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh have emerged as possible options for the leadership role, although the BCCI has not yet officially named her successor.

Harmanpreet took over India’s T20I captaincy from Mithali Raj before becoming the team’s all-format leader in 2022. The Punjab-born cricketer leaves behind a significant legacy, highlighted by India’s historic Women’s World Cup triumph on home soil last year, when the side defeated South Africa in the final. While Mandhana is widely seen as a leading candidate to take charge, the final decision on India’s next captain is still awaited.

Smriti Mandhana’s Leadership Record Strengthens Her Case to Succeed Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur’s tenure as India women’s captain included several deep runs in major tournaments, even though the team fell short of the title on some occasions. India reached the T20 World Cup semifinals in 2018 and 2022 and finished runners-up in the 2020 edition. Under Harmanpreet, India also secured back-to-back Asian Games gold medals in 2023 and 2026, defeating Sri Lanka in the final on both occasions, while the team also lifted the Asia Cup last month.