In brief
India’s veteran all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur has announced her retirement from captaincy across all formats after guiding the women’s side to a World Cup title in 2025 and a historic win against Australia. The 37‑year‑old, who took the team from obscurity to international acclaim with her 2017 semi‑final century, said she was ready to focus on playing for the love of the game. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed star opener Smriti Mandhana as the new full‑time skipper, ushering in a new era of leadership. While Kaur’s influence on and off the field remains undeniable, the transition reflects the sport’s growth and the need for fresh energy in a rapidly expanding women's game.
When Harmanpreet Kaur scored an unforgettable 100 against Australia in the 2017 semi‑final, she not only changed the match outcome but also shifted the trajectory of women’s cricket in India. The landmark knock ignited a new passion for the sport across the nation.
With the 2025 World Cup win the icing on a long journey, Kaur announced her decision to step down during a board meeting, citing a desire to return focus to her batting and to allow a younger leader to take charge. The limits of her experience, she said, will now guide the next generation.
I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. Now, it is time for me to turn the page… 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.
BCCI’s selection of 30‑year‑old opener Smriti Mandhana marks a significant shift; the move mirrors the recent replacement of the men’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav with Shreyas Iyer after the 2023 World Cup. The transition occurs amid debates about performance, leadership, and the rapid growth of women’s cricket worldwide.
Kaur’s decade‑long captaincy is defined by an aggressive playing philosophy that inspired confidence and broke longstanding barriers. From her explosive 2017 century to the 2025 victory over Australia, her leadership fostered a culture of resilience and ambition.
While her future playing role remains to be determined by the BCCI, Kaur’s legacy—spanning over two decades of international impact—is set to influence the next incoming leaders. The handover signals both an end and a new chapter for India’s women’s cricket, as the team looks to sustain its momentum on the global stage.
