Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain across all formats
Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as India captain across all formats after a BCCI review meeting. Smriti Mandhana, 30, has been named captain in all three formats.
Harmanpreet Kaur has relinquished the Indian women's cricket captaincy across all formats after a BCCI review meeting. The 37-year-old announced her decision following the meeting attended by secretary Devajit Saikia, coach Amol Muzumdar and incoming captain Smriti Mandhana. The BCCI opted for a younger leader despite Harmanpreet's willingness to continue in ODIs and Tests.
Mandhana, 30, has been named captain in all three formats. Harmanpreet had been under scrutiny after India's T20 World Cup campaign and a dip in personal form. She said in an Instagram post that she had given the team everything and was ready to play for the love of the game. The BCCI must now decide whether she remains in the squad.
The move mirrors the BCCI's decision to replace Suryakumar Yadav as men's T20I captain after India won the World Cup earlier this year. Opinion on whether Harmanpreet should continue was divided among former women players. Former cricketer Diana Edulji felt it was time for a younger captain while Anjum Chopra argued that her experience remained invaluable.
CricHubb Take
The BCCI's choice to install a younger captain now rather than retain Harmanpreet for the white-ball formats shows the board believes the transition window is already open. Mandhana's appointment across all formats removes any overlap period that could have eased the hand-over. The decision also sets the template for how the board plans to handle senior players whose form dips after a World Cup win.