"One intention behind it": Harmanpreet Kaur reveals shocking reason after stepping down as India women's captain

Indian women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has officially stepped down as captain across all formats. The decision brings an end to her long leadership stint, during which India achieved several major milestones, including the ODI World Cup title, Asia Cup triumph and Asian Games gold. The announcement came after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati to discuss the team’s recent performances and future plans. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar attended the meeting.

Harmanpreet confirmed her decision in a statement shared on social media. She said stepping down was not an easy decision and carried years of memories, emotions and sacrifices. She also revealed that there was one key intention behind her decision to leave the captaincy. The veteran has now made way for a change in leadership, with long-time vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expected to take the team forward.

At 37, Harmanpreet is in the later stages of her international career. She took over as India’s T20I captain in 2016 and became the ODI captain in 2022 before taking charge across all formats in 2023. During her tenure, she led India to major victories and played an important role in the team’s growth. Mandhana has also captained India in Harmanpreet’s absence and is now set to lead the team into a new era.

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Why did Harmanpreet Kaur step down as India women's captain?

It is still unknown whether Harmanpreet Kaur was persuaded to take the decision during a meeting, but the timing of her move has left the cricket fraternity guessing. In a lengthy social media post, Harmanpreet said that stepping down was not an easy decision, but she felt the time had come to hand over the responsibility after giving everything to the Indian team for several years. She first took charge as India's captain in 2016 after previously serving as a stand-in leader.

At 37, Harmanpreet Kaur is now in the final stages of her playing career, with India expected to turn to Smriti Mandhana as the next captain. Mandhana has been Harmanpreet's long-time vice-captain and has also led the Women in Blue whenever Kaur was unavailable. The leadership change could therefore mark the beginning of a new era for Indian women's cricket.

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The Mumbai Indians batter became India's T20I captain in 2016 and took over as ODI captain in 2017. During her tenure, India reached the final of the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup and the 2020 T20 World Cup. Her biggest achievement came in 2025, when India won the Women's ODI World Cup under her leadership, making Harmanpreet only the third Indian captain and the first woman to lift the prestigious trophy.

"One intention behind it": What Harmanpreet Kaur said

Harmanpreet Kaur said stepping down as captain was not an easy decision, as it carried years of memories, emotions, sacrifices and moments that would stay with her forever. “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,” she said. She added that there were times when she had to put her individual performance and personal growth aside because she believed the team had to come first.

Explaining her approach as captain, Harmanpreet said she had to make several difficult decisions that were not always understood and sometimes came at a personal cost. However, she insisted that every decision was made with “one intention” — to make the team better and give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves. Reflecting on her tenure, she said, “I have seen it all,” including the lowest moments, heartbreak, criticism and doubts, along with the victories, celebrations and pride of representing India.

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Harmanpreet said she leaves the captaincy with “a heart full of emotions, but also with PEACE”, as she believes the team is in a good place with talent, character, belief and a bright future. “I feel I have done my duty,” she said, thanking her teammates, coaches, support staff, management, BCCI, family and fans. She concluded her message with a clear indication that her playing journey will continue: “Blood. Sweat. Sacrifice. Pride. I gave it all. Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues.”

Who will captain India Women next? What changes for the team

India are set to turn to Smriti Mandhana as their next captain. Mandhana has been Harmanpreet Kaur's long-time vice-captain and has also led the Women in Blue in her absence. Her appointment would give the team a familiar leader while also bringing a fresh approach as India prepare for upcoming challenges.

The 37-year-old Punjab-born cricketer has led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is. Her most recent stint as captain came last month when she guided India to their second consecutive Asian Games gold medal. After several years at the helm, stepping down from captaincy across all formats marks the end of an important chapter in her leadership career.

The decision will also allow Harmanpreet to move away from the pressure of tactical decisions and captaincy scrutiny and focus fully on her batting. Her experience and explosive batting can still play an important role for India, while the team gets time to settle under a new leadership group and strategy ahead of the upcoming global tournaments.