Mandhana replaces Harmanpreet as India captain
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the appointment of Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the Indian women's cricket team, replacing Harmanpreet Kaur. Harmanpreet, who was India's only World Cup-winning women's cricket captain, announced her stepping down from her position across all formats, stating that she has completed her duty as a leader and is eager to return to cricket for the love of the game.
The 37-year-old's decision followed a review meeting held by the BCCI in Guwahati, where she, along with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar, discussed the team's progress in recent months. The BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, chaired the meeting. Smriti Mandhana, a prominent figure in Indian women's cricket, has played a crucial role in the team's growth across all formats.
She has also showcased her leadership skills in domestic and franchise cricket, most recently guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to back-to-back Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026. With over a decade of experience in international cricket since her debut in 2013, Smriti brings valuable experience to the captaincy role.
The BCCI emphasized that the team is entering a new phase and aims to build on the progress achieved in recent years under Mandhana's leadership.
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