NEW DELHI, OCT 7: A new leadership chapter has opened in Indian women’s cricket with the BCCI appointing Smriti Mandhana as the full-time captain of the Indian women’s team in white-ball cricket, following Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down from captaincy. The appointment was announced by the BCCI.
Mandhana, one of the most experienced figures in the Indian women’s setup, brings more than a decade of international cricket experience to the leadership role. She has represented India since 2013 and had already captained the national side in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, giving her considerable exposure to the demands of leading the team at international level.
Her leadership credentials have also been strengthened by her success in franchise cricket. Mandhana has led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles, in 2024 and 2026, adding a significant domestic and franchise leadership dimension to her international experience.
The transition follows Harmanpreet Kaur stepping down from captaincy across formats, bringing an important phase of Indian women’s cricket leadership to a close. The BCCI has acknowledged Kaur’s contribution to the national team, while she is set to continue representing India as a player.
Mandhana’s first full-time assignment will come in the home series against Zimbabwe, with India scheduled to play three T20Is in Raipur from October 16, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara beginning October 23. The BCCI has named Mandhana captain for both squads, with Shafali Verma as T20I vice-captain and Deepti Sharma as ODI vice-captain.
The leadership change comes at a significant juncture for the Indian side, with Mandhana now entrusted with carrying forward the progress achieved in recent years while shaping the team’s next phase across the two white-ball formats. The BCCI said her experience and leadership qualities will be important as the team moves into this new chapter.
Mandhana described the responsibility of leading India as a special honour and acknowledged Harmanpreet’s contribution to the team, while expressing her intention to work with the squad and take Indian cricket forward.
