Smriti Mandhana named captain of India women’s cricket team
Smriti Mandhana was appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following a review meeting in Guwahati on October 5, 2026 that preceded Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down.
Harmanpreet Kaur announced her resignation in a social media post after meeting with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, women's team head coach Amol Muzumdar and Mandhana in Guwahati on Monday, October 5, 2026. The Board of Control for Cricket in India issued the appointment on its website and described Mandhana as a senior opener. The board’s statement framed the change as part of a transition for the team.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces the appointment of Smriti Mandhana as the captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team," the BCCI said on their website.
"Smriti has been one of the leading figures in Indian women's cricket over the years and has played a key role in the team's progress across formats. An experienced international cricketer, she has also demonstrated her leadership qualities in domestic and franchise cricket, most recently leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026."
"Having been part of the Indian team since 2013, Smriti brings considerable experience into the role. She will now take on the responsibility of leading the side, with the team entering a new phase and continuing to build on the progress made in recent years," the board added.
The announcement was published October 06, 2026 09:26 pm IST with reporting from New Delhi.
