NEW DELHI: India’s cricket board on Tuesday named Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the women’s team after Harmanpreet Kaur resigned from the job earlier in the day.
The 37-year-old Kaur, who recently led India to an Asian Games gold medal in Japan, had captained the team to their first women’s global title at last year’s ODI World Cup.
Mandhana, 30, has been the backbone of India’s batting in recent years and played a key part in the Asian Games victory, including a stellar 45-ball 79 in the final against Sri Lanka.
“To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour,” Mandhana said in a statement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply.”
Earlier Kaur stepped down from the role through a social media post on Tuesday morning.
“This is not an easy decision,” Kaur wrote. “It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” she said.
“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.”
However, Kaur indicated she would continue to play.
Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026
