India’s ODI World Cup 2025-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain across all formats with immediate effect on October 6. The announcement comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) review meeting in Guwahati on October 5. Harmanpreet took to social media to pen an emotional note to announce the news. Harmanpreet recalled putting first as captain, making tough decisions which were not always taken in a good spirit by others. She recounted the heartbreak and criticism she faced as skipper over the years. After leaving the leadership role, she will continue to play all formats as a batting all-rounder.
Harmanpreet’s retirement statement -
Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats.
This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
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. There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first.
As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions.
Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. But every decision I made was with one intention - to make this TEAM better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves.
I have seen it all.
I have seen the lowest moments, the heartbreak, the criticism, the doubts and the days when nothing seemed to go our way. And I have also experienced the highest highs - the victories, the celebrations, the pride of representing our country, and the moments that made every sacrifice worth it.
I leave the captaincy today with a heart full of emotions, but also with PEACE.
Because I genuinely believe My team is in a good place. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of.
I feel I have done my duty.
I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket.
Now, it is time for me to turn the page.
Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will.
Thank you to every teammate, coach, support staff, management, BCCI, family members every single fan who stood by me through the highs and lows.
Blood. Sweat. Sarifice. Pride. I gave it all
Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again.
Captaincy ends. The journey continues.
Harmanpreet’s captaincy records
Harmanpreet has led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is. She has led India to wins in 92 T20I, 30 ODIs and four Tests. She is the only Indian captain to lead the side to an ODI World Cup title. One title that eluded her during her captaincy tenure was the T20 World Cup title. In ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020, she led India to the final where they were outclassed by Australia.
As captain, Harmanpreet scored 1,804 runs from 48 ODI innings at an average of 44 including four tons and 10 fifties. The 37-year-old's previous ODI appearance was against Australia in March 2026 where she scored 25 runs.
Harmanpreet has scored second-most runs as T20I captain, only behind Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu. The 37-year-old has 3,416 runs from 141 innings as T20I captain at an average of 32.84 featuring a ton and 16 half-centuries.
Harmanpreet made her T20I captaincy debut in 2012. But, she took over captaincy officially from legendary Mithali Raj after India's T20 World Cup 2016 campaign. Four years later, she took over as India’s ODI captain as well. Within four years of ODI captaincy, she led India to their first Women’s World Cup victory, beating South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai.
Harmanpreet’s last win as captain
Harmanpreet-led India recently won their second consecutive Asian Games gold. In the gold medal match, India beat Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 147 runs at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, to win the final. It was also the Indian contingent's first gold medal at the games.
Who’ll take over from Harmanpreet?
Smriti Mandhana was present in the review meeting in Guwahati with Harmanpreet, head coach Amol Muzumdar and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. Mandhana is set to take over as captain across formats. She has led India often in Harmanpreet’s absence. So far, Mandhana has captained India in four ODIs and 18 T20Is. Under her captaincy, India have won 11 ODIs. The opener is yet to lose a T20I as captain. Mandhana also has two Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), same as Harmanpreet for Mumbai Indians (MI). Harmanpreet is likely to continue captaining MI.
India women’s next series
Under the new captain, India will take on Zimbabwe at home in three T20Is and as many ODIs starting from October 16 to October 28. After that, India will tour South Africa for a one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. The next big event for India women will the inaugural Women’s ICC Champions Trophy 2027. India have been confirmed as hosts for the tournament that will be played from February 15 to 28. The tournament will be played in the T20 format. In the previous T20 World Cup edition, India did not make it to the semifinals.
It will be interesting to see if Harmanpreet continues to carry on as player till the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 or hangs up her boots.
India’s position in ICC rankings as Harmanpreet leaves captaincy
As Harmanpreet leaves India's captaincy, the team is currently ranked third in ICC T20I rankings and ICC ODI rankings as well.