India women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain across all formats but will continue playing for the national team.
The 37-year-old announced her decision on Instagram following a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati, just days after leading India to their second Asian Games women’s cricket gold.
“Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats,” Harmanpreet said in a statement.
“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.”
Harmanpreet said she was now ready to return to the game without the responsibility of captaincy.
“Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” she added.
Harmanpreet took over as India’s T20I captain in 2016 and led the side in the format for a decade. She became ODI captain in 2022 before taking charge across all three formats in 2023.
Her captaincy brought India their maiden women’s ODI World Cup title in November last year.
She has now stepped down from the leadership role shortly after another major achievement, having captained India to Asian Games gold.
Harmanpreet’s decision ends a long spell as one of the most prominent leaders in Indian women’s cricket, while allowing her to continue contributing as a player.
Her resignation means India will now have to appoint a new all-format captain, while Harmanpreet remains available for selection.
The announcement also closes the captaincy chapter of a career that has included India’s first ODI World Cup triumph and two Asian Games gold medals.
