Harmanpreet Kaur captaincy has come to an end after a remarkable journey that included painful defeats, intense criticism and, ultimately, historic success. The 37-year-old has stepped down as India's captain across formats and handed the leadership to Smriti Mandhana, while continuing to play for the national team.
Harmanpreet's leadership journey began in full-time T20Is in 2016, when Indian women's cricket was still searching for consistency and a major breakthrough. A year later, her unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 Women's World Cup semi-final became one of the defining innings in Indian women's cricket.
India lost the final to England, but Harmanpreet had helped establish a new belief that India could compete with the world's best.
A captain tested by controversy and heartbreak
Leadership also brought difficult moments. The 2018 T20 World Cup semi-final selection controversy involving Mithali Raj placed Harmanpreet at the centre of intense criticism. The experience reportedly became so difficult that she considered stepping away from cricket.
Then came another painful chapter at the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup, when India reached their maiden final but lost to Australia.
The 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final produced perhaps her most heartbreaking moment. After fighting through illness and scoring 52, Harmanpreet was run out when her bat became stuck while completing a second run. India eventually lost by five runs.
The near-misses continued, but so did Harmanpreet's leadership.
Finally, the trophy she had waited for
Harmanpreet's defining breakthrough arrived in 2025. India reached the Women's Cricket World Cup final, where they defeated South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai to win their maiden women's World Cup title.
For Harmanpreet, the victory ended years of frustration. She had finally lifted the major trophy that had repeatedly slipped away.
But she did not immediately walk away.
She remained captain and led India to the 2026 Women's Asia Cup title before guiding the team to another Asian Games gold medal in Japan. India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final, giving Harmanpreet another major title before her decision to step down.
A legacy beyond statistics
Harmanpreet leaves the captaincy with a legacy built not only on victories but also on resilience. She experienced the criticism, selection controversies, devastating defeats and pressure that came with leading India's women's team through multiple generations.
She also became one of the most successful women's T20I captains and one of India's most experienced international cricketers.
Now, Smriti Mandhana takes over the captaincy while Harmanpreet continues as a player.
Her leadership chapter ends not after another disappointing campaign, but after World Cup glory, an Asia Cup title and another Asian Games gold.
The captain's hat may be gone, but Harmanpreet's impact on Indian women's cricket remains.
She leaves as a World Cup-winning captain, a two-time Asian Games gold-winning leader and one of the most influential figures in India's women's cricket journey—with her head held high.
Relevant official source: International Cricket Council
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