Smriti Mandhana Posts Heartfelt Tribute to Harmanpreet Kaur After Taking Over as India Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur’s decade-long tenure as a prominent figure in the team’s leadership structure has come to an end with the appointment of Smriti Smriti Mandhana as the all-format captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the BCCI disclosed its determination. Smriti Mandhana promotion signifies a substantial shift in the trajectory of Indian women’s cricket, as the team continues to expand upon its most recent accomplishments.

The appointment of Smriti Mandhana follows Harmanpreet’s resignation from the captaincy position. The new captain has a wealth of experience in leading India across various formats, having led the team in 18 T20 Internationals and four One-Day Internationals. Her credentials were further fortified by her leadership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which secured two Women’s Premier League titles during her tenure as captain.

Smriti Mandhana message of respect and continuity

Major accomplishments for Indian women’s cricket were achieved during Harmanpreet’s captaincy. She led India to victory in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup and coached the team to gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games, securing a second consecutive Asian Games title. India’s tournament legacy was further enhanced by her stewardship, as the team secured victories in the Women’s Asia Cup in 2012, 2016, and 2022.

Harmanpreet’s journey to leadership

Harmanpreet initially assumed responsibility for the Indian team as an emergency appointment in 2012, and she subsequently cemented her position as the regular T20 International captain since 2016. She consolidated her position as the team’s primary leader across all formats in 2022, following the retirement of Mithali Raj, by assuming the role of ODI and Test captain. This occurred during a transformative period for Indian women’s cricket.

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Reports implying discrepancies between the two senior players have been accompanying the transition. Nevertheless, Harmanpreet has explicitly stated that her resignation from the captaincy does not indicate her departure from international cricket. The 37-year-old has expressed her desire to continue to be available for selection and to offer assistance to the new leadership structure in the future.

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