Harmanpreet Kaur lets go of India captaincy after 'giving it her all'

Harmanpreet Kaur, one of India's most respected cricket captains, has officially stepped down from her leadership role after years of remarkable achievements. Under her captaincy, India defended its Asian Games gold medal in Japan with a commanding 147-run victory, cementing her legacy as a leader. Harmanpreet's career highlights include winning the T20 Asia Cup titles in 2016, 2022, and 2026, the Asian Games titles in 2023 and 2026, and India's first-ever ODI World Cup title in 2025.

Throughout her time as captain, Harmanpreet delivered impressive win percentages of 80% in Test cricket and 59% in both ODIs and T20Is. She also holds the record for leading the most T20 international matches in women's cricket, with 155 appearances. Despite never securing the ultimate T20 World Cup triumph, she remains the only Indian player to have played in every T20 World Cup to date.

Harmanpreet’s captaincy was not without challenges, including two consecutive group-stage eliminations at the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups. Reports of a rift with star player Smriti Mandhana also marked her tenure. Nonetheless, her contributions to Indian cricket remain significant and celebrated.

As Harmanpreet hands over the captaincy, she leaves behind a legacy of strong leadership, resilience, and outstanding performances that will be remembered for years to come.