New Delhi, October 2026 : Newly appointed India women’s cricket team captain Smriti Mandhana and middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues on Wednesday paid tribute to outgoing skipper Harmanpreet Kaur after she stepped down from leadership across all formats.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced Mandhana as the new captain of the women’s national team following Harmanpreet’s decision to relinquish the leadership role.
Harmanpreet’s future as captain had come under scrutiny during a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati on Monday, following India’s second consecutive group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup in England in June. The change now marks the beginning of a new leadership phase for the Indian women’s team.
Mandhana, who will take charge from India’s upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe beginning October 16, expressed her appreciation for Harmanpreet’s decade-long contribution to the team.
“It has been a pleasure playing with you for so many years. Ten years of your leadership have been fantastic, and together, we will strive to bring many more laurels for our nation,” Mandhana wrote on her Instagram Stories.
Harmanpreet steps down after signing off on a high by leading India to the gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan. Her tenure will also be remembered for India’s historic triumph in the 2025 ODI World Cup, when the team won its maiden women’s global championship title.
During her international career as captain, Harmanpreet led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is, overseeing a significant period in the development of women’s cricket in the country.
Rodrigues, who is currently recovering from a high-grade hamstring tear suffered while playing in The Hundred in England, also congratulated Harmanpreet and acknowledged her contribution to the team.
“Congratulations on everything you've achieved. Thanks for the years of leadership and for everything you did for the team!” Rodrigues wrote on Instagram.
For Mandhana, the elevation to full-time captaincy represents a significant new chapter in an international career that began in 2013. The left-handed batter has established herself as one of India’s leading players across formats and has been a key part of the team’s batting line-up alongside Harmanpreet.
Mandhana has represented India in nine Tests, 120 ODIs and 179 T20Is. Her experience as a senior international player and recent success as a franchise captain will now form an important part of her leadership journey with the national side.
She was also instrumental in India’s recent Asian Games gold-medal triumph. Mandhana produced a match-winning performance in the final against Sri Lanka in Nisshin, Japan, scoring a fluent 79 off 45 balls to help India secure the gold medal.
Her captaincy credentials were further strengthened by her successful stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League. Under Mandhana’s leadership, RCB won the WPL title in 2024 and again in 2026.
Mandhana now faces the task of building on the foundation laid during Harmanpreet’s tenure while guiding a team that has continued to gain experience and prominence across international cricket.
The transition also comes at an important stage for India, with the team looking to strengthen its performances in major global tournaments. Mandhana’s appointment brings together her extensive international experience, batting leadership and recent success in franchise cricket.
As Harmanpreet moves away from the captaincy, tributes from Mandhana and Rodrigues highlighted the respect within the squad for the outgoing skipper and her contribution to Indian women’s cricket.
