Smriti Mandhana named India women's captain after Harmanpreet Kaur steps down
BCCI names Mandhana as full-time white-ball captain after Harmanpreet steps down; Shafali and Deepti named vice-captains for T20Is and ODIs.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India appointed Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the Indian women's team on Tuesday, hours after Harmanpreet Kaur relinquished the role across all formats. Mandhana, who has been part of the side since 2013, has previously led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs. She will serve as full-time white-ball captain.
Mandhana captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026. The BCCI cited her experience and leadership qualities in domestic and franchise cricket as factors behind the appointment. Shafali Verma was named vice-captain for T20Is and Deepti Sharma for ODIs.
India's next assignment is a three-match T20I and three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting October 16 in Raipur. The Women's Champions Trophy follows in February.
CricHubb Take
The BCCI's decision to appoint Mandhana as full-time white-ball captain reflects a preference for a leader with proven franchise success and recent form over continuity with the previous captaincy structure.