Smriti Mandhana appointed India women’s white-ball captain, Harmanpreet Kaur steps down

Smriti Mandhana was named captain of the Indian women's cricket team on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, replacing Harmanpreet Kaur after a review meeting in Guwahati on Monday that involved BCCI officials and the team management.

Mandhana will lead India's white-ball sides and has previously captained the national team in 18 T20Is and four ODIs. The 29-year-old, an India regular since her 2013 debut, succeeds Harmanpreet following the latter's announcement that she was stepping down; Mandhana also has franchise captaincy credentials, having guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.

Harmanpreet announced her decision to resign as captain in a social media post on Tuesday after a review meeting with BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia, women's head coach Amol Muzumdar and Mandhana in Guwahati on Monday. The BCCI subsequently confirmed the leadership change and the selection panel’s squad picks for upcoming series.

Mandhana commented on her appointment, saying: "To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour. Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply." She added: "I am grateful to the BCCI, the selectors, my teammates and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey and for the trust they have placed in me."

BCCI president Mithun Manhas offered his support in a statement: "I congratulate Smriti on being entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Women's Cricket Team. She has been an important part of Indian cricket for many years and has consistently shown the qualities required to lead from the front," Manhas said. "Her experience and understanding of the game will be valuable as she takes on this responsibility." Saikia also commented: "She has grown into one of the most experienced players in the Indian team and has been part of some very important moments in the journey of Indian women's cricket. She understands what it means to represent India and I am confident that she will bring that understanding to her role as captain," Saikia said. "Leading India is a significant responsibility, but Smriti has the experience and temperament to take it on. Her success as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League is another example of her leadership qualities."

Shafali Verma has been named vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, while Deepti Sharma will serve as Mandhana's deputy in the ODI format. The Women's Selection Committee announced the squads on Tuesday and included Niki Prasad after her performances for India A against Australia A; "Niki was among the standout performers for India A in the series against Australia A, and her performances have earned her a place in the T20I squad for the three-match series in Raipur. Her inclusion is one of the notable talking points from the squad announcement, with the youngster now in line for her senior India debut."

India's T20I squad is: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma (VC), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.

India's ODI squad is: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (VC), Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur. The ODI series will be played in Vadodara and the selections aim to provide opportunities across formats.

The T20I series against Zimbabwe will begin in Raipur on October 16, with the second and third matches scheduled for October 18 and 20. All three matches will begin at 7:00 PM IST.