Smriti Mandhana Appointed India Women's Cricket Team Captain After Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down

On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Smriti Mandhana will become the new captain of the Indian women's cricket team for white-ball cricket. The decision comes after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from her role. Mandhana, a highly skilled batter, has been an essential player for India across various formats.

Over her career, she has accumulated leadership experience in domestic and franchise cricket. This marks the beginning of a new era for the Indian women's cricket team under Mandhana's leadership.

Mandhana, a left-handed player, has led India in 18 T20 Internationals and four One-Day Internationals. In addition to her international career, she has also been the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women's Premier League (WPL), securing titles in both 2024 and 2026. Her leadership abilities have been recognized by her performance in these roles.

In her statement regarding the appointment, Mandhana expressed her gratitude to the BCCI, selectors, and teammates for their support throughout her career. She acknowledged Harmanpreet Kaur's contribution as captain and expressed her enthusiasm to work with the team. Mandhana looked forward to contributing to the advancement of Indian cricket.

The BCCI's Secretary, Devajit Saikia, congratulated Mandhana on her role as captain, highlighting her growing experience and her position as one of the most experienced players in the Indian team. He emphasized her understanding of the journey of Indian women's cricket and her ability to lead the team effectively.

BCCI President Mithun Manhas also congratulated Mandhana, expressing confidence in her leadership qualities and her commitment to the team. He praised her experience, understanding of the game, and dedication, which he believed would be valuable assets as she guides India through upcoming ODI and T20I assignments.