Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup-winning skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has decided to step down from her position as captain of the Indian team with immediate effect.

The 37-year-old took the reins in the shortest format in 2016 and became full-time ODI and Test skipper in 2022 following India great Mithali Raj's departure from international cricket.

"Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team across all formats," Harmanpreet said as part of a lengthy statement on her Instagram account while also confirming she will continue as a player.

"This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life. 

"Now, I'm ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues," she added.

Kaur captained India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is, with her final assignment as skipper ending in a second consecutive gold medal (2022 & 2026) for India at the Asian Games recently.

The biggest moment in her career came when she led India to their maiden Women's Cricket World Cup title in November last year on home soil. 

The former skipper is only the third Indian captain, after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to win the 50-over World Cup.

She is one of just five Indian captains to have lifted a World Cup, joining Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026, respectively.

Kaur also led India to a silver medal finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where her 65-run knock went in vain in the final after Australia beat her side to claim gold.

She is also the first man or woman in international cricket to captain her side in more than 150 games in T20Is.

Kaur's legacy in the shortest format is immense, helping India reach the semi-finals at the 2018 and 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cups, while also finishing as runners-up at the event in 2020.