World Cup-winning skipper resigns as India captain across all formats, will continue playing for the national team
Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats, bringing an end to her leadership tenure after nearly a decade at the helm. The 37-year-old announced her decision on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, through a social media post. The International Cricket Council confirmed that her resignation is effective immediately.
A Captaincy Era Comes to an End
Harmanpreet took over as India’s T20I captain in 2016 and became the full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022 following Mithali Raj’s retirement from international cricket. She went on to lead India across all three formats and became the captain who delivered the country its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title.
Her biggest achievement came in 2025, when India defeated South Africa in the final on home soil to win their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup. The triumph made Harmanpreet only the third Indian captain, after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to lead an Indian team to a senior ODI World Cup title.
Multiple Major Titles Under Her Leadership
Harmanpreet also led India to two T20 Asian Cup titles and two consecutive Asian Games gold medals. India won the women’s cricket gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou before successfully defending the title at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya last month.
She leaves captaincy after leading India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is.
Harmanpreet Will Continue as a Player
While stepping away from leadership, Harmanpreet has confirmed that she will continue representing India as a player. In her statement, she reflected on the emotions, sacrifices and responsibilities that came with captaincy, while expressing confidence in the team’s future.
Her decision marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian women’s cricket, but her international playing career continues.