New Delhi, Oct 6: Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, bringing an important chapter of her career to a close while making it clear that she is not walking away from the game.
The veteran cricketer said that while her time as captain has come to an end, her journey with Indian cricket will continue. Her decision marks a significant moment for a team that has witnessed several historic achievements during her leadership.
Harmanpreet took over the leadership of India’s T20I team in 2016 and later became the ODI captain. Over the years, she grew into one of the most experienced leaders in women’s international cricket, handling the responsibility across formats.
One of the biggest highlights of her captaincy came when India won its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025. The historic triumph marked a new chapter for women’s cricket in the country and gave millions of supporters a moment to remember.
Her leadership has also been associated with India’s performances in multi-sport competitions and major international series. Along the way, she became a familiar and influential figure for young cricketers looking to make their mark in the sport.
Reacting to her decision, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla praised Harmanpreet’s contribution and said she had inspired countless young girls to take up cricket and dream of representing India.
For Harmanpreet, however, the end of captaincy is not an ending. It is a change in role.
After years of making decisions on the field, carrying the expectations of a team and leading from the front, she will now be able to focus entirely on her role as a player.
Her career has already produced several memorable moments, including her famous unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final, a knock that remains one of the most celebrated innings in women’s ODI cricket.
As India prepares for its next phase, Harmanpreet’s experience will remain valuable to the team. Her decision also gives a new leader an opportunity to take Indian women’s cricket forward while she continues to contribute with bat, experience and knowledge.
The captaincy may have ended, but Harmanpreet Kaur’s association with Indian cricket is far from over. Her own message captures the moment simply: the captaincy ends, but the journey continues.