{
  "id": 12554154,
  "title": "Tension between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur reportedly emerges after captaincy change",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/tension-between-smriti-mandhana-and-harmanpreet-kaur-reportedly",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T05:21:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/tension-between-smriti-mandhana-and-harmanpreet-kaur-reportedly-emerges-after-captaincy-change-1.500701220"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: Smriti Mandhana's appointment as India women’s captain followed the departure of Harmanpreet Kaur from the role across formats. Tensions reportedly arose between the two senior players due to leadership uncertainty. Harmanpreet, who led India to a second consecutive Asian Games gold in Japan, ended her tenure on a high after a review meeting with BCCI officials. Mandhana, currently India’s top batter, openly expressed her readiness to assume the responsibility. The captaincy issue reportedly strained their previously strong relationship, causing unease in the dressing room. Mandhana’s elevation also followed India’s early exits from T20 World Cups, prompting criticism from former captain Mithali Raj. Despite stepping down from captaincy, Harmanpreet is expected to continue playing, which may intensify competition for the leadership position as Mandhana leads the team, having previously won two IPL titles.",
  "summary": "Dubai: It was no surprise that Smriti Mandhana was handed the India women’s captaincy after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role across formats. But the change comes after a period in which the leadership question reportedly created unease between the two senior players. Harmanpreet, who first led India permanently in 2016, ended her captaincy tenure on a high after guiding the team to a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain in all formats",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/harmanpreet-kaur-steps-down-as-india-captain-in-all-formats",
        "published": "2026-10-06T05:33:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "\"Not an easy decision\": Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Captain, Smriti Mandhana Likely Successor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/not-an-easy-decision-harmanpreet-kaur-steps-down-as-india-captain",
        "published": "2026-10-06T05:36:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "'Not An Easy Decision': Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down From Captaincy After Asian Games Gold; Smriti Mandhana Set To Take Over",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/not-an-easy-decision-harmanpreet-kaur-steps-down-from-captaincy-after",
        "published": "2026-10-06T05:41:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}