Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India women's captain across all formats after more than a decade
The 37-year-old all-rounder announced her resignation across all formats on October 6, 2026, and confirmed she will continue as a player.
Legendary Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all three formats, bringing an end to a remarkable leadership chapter that lasted for more than a decade. The 37-year-old announced her decision on October 6, 2026, through an emotional Instagram post, but made it clear that she will continue playing for India.
Kaur has been one of the most important figures in the growth of Indian women's cricket. During her time as captain, she experienced several highs and lows, including major tournament victories, heartbreaking defeats and intense scrutiny. In her farewell message as captain, the veteran all-rounder reflected on the sacrifices she made for the team and said she was stepping away from the role with a sense of peace.
Kaur admitted that giving up the captaincy was not an easy decision after spending several years leading the Indian team. She said she had often put the team's requirements ahead of her own individual ambitions and growth.
"Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats.
This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket — my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions. There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first," she wrote on Instagram.
The former captain also spoke about the difficult decisions she had to make during her tenure. Kaur acknowledged that some of those calls were not always understood, but maintained that she intended to make the team stronger and give younger players opportunities to develop.
"As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. But every decision I made was with one intention - to make this TEAM better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves."
Kaur's captaincy journey featured some memorable victories as well as difficult periods for Indian women's cricket. From criticism and disappointing results to major triumphs, she said she experienced almost every emotion during her time as captain.
"I have seen it all. I have seen the lowest moments, the heartbreak, the criticism, the doubts and the days when nothing seemed to go our way. And I have also experienced the highest highs - the victories, the celebrations, the pride of representing our country, and the moments that made every sacrifice worth it."
Despite the emotional nature of the decision, Kaur said she was leaving the captaincy with peace of mind because she believes the Indian team is in a good place. She also expressed excitement about continuing to be part of the team's journey as a player.
"I leave the captaincy today with a heart full of emotions, but also with PEACE.
Because I genuinely believe My team is in a good place. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of.
I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket."
Importantly, Kaur made it clear that stepping down as captain does not mean the end of her India career. She intends to continue playing and rediscover the joy of the game without the additional responsibility of leadership.
"Now, it is time for me to turn the page. Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will. Thank you to every teammate, coach, support staff, management, BCCI, family members every single fan who stood by me through the highs and lows. Blood. Sweat. Sarifice. Pride. I gave it all. Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues. 🙏🏼," here post concluded.
Check the announcement post here -
Kaur's final assignment as India captain
Kaur's final assignment as India's captain came at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where she led India to the gold medal. India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final to finish the tournament on top.
Smriti Mandhana served as Kaur's vice-captain during the Asian Games and could now be among the leading candidates to take over the captaincy. Kaur's decision comes after a mixed run for India in 2026. The team suffered a group-stage exit at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England after defeats against South Africa and Australia. India also lost a five-match T20I series against South Africa 4-1 earlier in the year.
India's tour of Australia produced mixed results as well, with the hosts winning the Test and ODI series before India claimed the T20I series 2-1. India later won the one-off Test against England but lost the T20I series 2-1.
However, Kaur's final assignment ended on a high as India secured gold at the Asian Games.
Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy legacy
Kaur leaves the captaincy as one of the most recognisable figures in Indian women's cricket. One of the biggest achievements of her leadership came in 2025, when she guided India to their first Women's Cricket World Cup title.
She also led India to Women's Asia Cup titles in 2012, 2016 and 2022, adding to an impressive list of achievements during her leadership tenure.
Kaur made her ODI debut against Pakistan on March 7, 2009, and played her first T20I against England on June 11, 2009. Her decision to step down therefore comes after more than 17 years as an international cricketer
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