Who Is the New Captain of India’s Women’s Cricket Team? Smriti Mandhana Takes Over From Harmanpreet Kaur

Smriti Mandhana is the new captain of India’s women’s cricket team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced her appointment on October 6, 2026, after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as captain across all formats. The board specifically confirmed Mandhana as India’s full-time captain in ODIs and T20 internationals; its announcement did not separately specify a full-time Test appointment.

The change is already reflected in India’s squads for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe. Mandhana is listed as captain for both the three-match T20I series and the three-match ODI series. Harmanpreet is included as a player in both squads.

Why did Harmanpreet Kaur step down?

Harmanpreet said she had decided, after careful consideration, that it was the right time to hand over the captaincy and let the team move forward under new leadership. She did not announce her retirement from international cricket. Instead, she said she wanted to keep representing India, contribute on the field and support the new leadership.

Reports have connected the timing of the decision to a review of the team’s recent performances. Harmanpreet’s own explanation, however, was that she believed the time was right for a handover. A specific selection plan or further change to her playing role should not be assumed from the captaincy announcement.

Her departure from the post follows a long tenure. Harmanpreet became India’s regular T20I captain in 2016 and took over the ODI and Test captaincy in 2022, after Mithali Raj retired. She led India to its first Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025, defeating South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai. Her final assignment as captain ended with India winning gold at the 2026 Asian Games.

What experience does Smriti Mandhana bring as captain?

Mandhana is an established India opener who has been in the national side since 2013 and served as Harmanpreet’s deputy. She has previously stood in as India captain in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, so the Zimbabwe series will not be her first experience leading the side. She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.

In the BCCI’s announcement, Mandhana described leading India as an honour and acknowledged Harmanpreet’s contribution as captain. The appointment makes Mandhana the team’s ongoing white-ball leader rather than a temporary stand-in.

When will Mandhana lead India next?

India’s next scheduled assignment is at home against Zimbabwe. The T20Is are set for October 16, 18 and 20 in Raipur, followed by ODIs on October 23, 25 and 28 in Vadodara. The BCCI has named Shafali Verma vice-captain for the T20I squad and Deepti Sharma vice-captain for the ODI squad.

That confirmed schedule gives Mandhana an immediate start in both white-ball formats. It does not, by itself, establish who will captain India in its next Test or settle leadership arrangements beyond the appointments the BCCI has announced.