Smriti Mandhana has taken over as captain of India’s women’s cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the leadership role across all formats on October 6, marking a major change at the top of the side.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Mandhana’s appointment on Tuesday. The 30-year-old left-handed opener had served as Harmanpreet’s deputy and had already captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs.
The change has also brought reports of tension between the two senior players into focus. NDTV, citing a team source, reported that Mandhana and Harmanpreet had not been seeing eye to eye for some time, with the situation allegedly creating unease within the dressing room. The claim remains a reported development rather than an officially confirmed dispute.
Neither Mandhana nor Harmanpreet has publicly confirmed that there was a personal fallout between them, and the BCCI’s official statements on the leadership transition do not cite a rift as the reason for the change.
A leadership transition after a successful run
Harmanpreet’s departure from the captaincy comes after one of the most successful periods in India’s women’s cricket history.
The 37-year-old led India to their first Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025. More recently, she captained the side to a second successive women’s cricket gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final.
Harmanpreet’s leadership career also included India’s record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title in September 2026. She became the first captain in men’s or women’s international cricket to reach 150 matches as captain during that tournament, according to the BCCI.
Her decision therefore represents a change of leadership rather than an exit from international cricket. Harmanpreet is expected to continue playing for India, and the BCCI has said her experience and presence will remain valuable to the team.
Why Mandhana was the natural successor
Mandhana’s appointment is backed by an extensive record as both an international batter and a captain in domestic and franchise cricket.
She has been part of India’s senior side since 2013 and has led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles, in 2024 and 2026. The BCCI said her previous leadership experience and performances made her a strong candidate to guide India into its next phase.
Her individual form has also strengthened her standing in international cricket. In September, Mandhana became the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket across formats, overtaking former India captain Mithali Raj. She also moved to the top of the women’s international centuries list with her 18th hundred.
She added another milestone during the 2026 Asian Games, becoming the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is after passing New Zealand’s Suzie Bates.
Harmanpreet remains part of India’s plans
The immediate challenge for Mandhana will not simply be replacing Harmanpreet as captain. She will also have to lead a team in which her predecessor remains an important senior player.
Harmanpreet’s experience, along with her history with the national side, means the relationship between the new captain and former captain will inevitably attract attention. The reported disagreement between the pair adds interest to that transition, but there is currently no official evidence that their working relationship will affect India’s performances.
Mandhana, for her part, publicly acknowledged Harmanpreet after receiving the captaincy. In comments released by the ICC, she described Harmanpreet as an important part of India’s journey and recognised her contribution as captain.
That public message contrasts with the reported claims of dressing-room unease and underlines why the alleged rift should not be treated as an established fact.
India’s next assignment under Mandhana
Mandhana’s first major test as India’s full-time captain will come quickly.
India are scheduled to host Zimbabwe for three T20Is and three ODIs beginning October 16. The T20Is will be played in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara on October 23, 25 and 28.
Harmanpreet has been included in both squads, meaning India’s new captain and former captain will continue to share the dressing room immediately after the leadership change.
For Mandhana, the transition now moves from an announcement to the more demanding task of building her own leadership identity. For Harmanpreet, it marks a shift from captain to senior player after a tenure that included India’s breakthrough World Cup triumph.
The reported tension between the two will remain a storyline around the team, but the first clear test will come on the field when Mandhana leads India into the Zimbabwe series.
Who is the new captain of India’s women’s cricket team?
Smriti Mandhana is the new captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. The BCCI appointed her on October 6, 2026, after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down.
Why did Harmanpreet Kaur step down as India captain?
Harmanpreet announced that she was stepping down as captain across all formats. The BCCI officially acknowledged her decision but did not state that an alleged dispute with Mandhana was the reason.
Are Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur having a dispute?
Media reports have alleged tension between the two senior players and claimed they had not been seeing eye to eye. However, neither player nor the BCCI has officially confirmed a personal rift.
Will Harmanpreet Kaur continue playing for India?
Yes. Harmanpreet stepped down from the captaincy but is continuing as a player. She has been included in India’s squads for the upcoming Zimbabwe series.
Why was Smriti Mandhana chosen as captain?
Mandhana had already served as vice-captain and had previous experience leading India in T20Is and ODIs. She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two WPL titles.
When will Smriti Mandhana first lead India as full-time captain?
Her first assignment as the newly appointed full-time captain will be India’s home series against Zimbabwe, beginning with a T20I in Raipur on October 16, 2026.
What did Harmanpreet Kaur achieve as India captain?
Harmanpreet led India to their first Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025 and to consecutive Asian Games gold medals, including the 2026 title in Japan.
What is Smriti Mandhana’s recent international record?
Mandhana became the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket across formats in September 2026 and also reached the top of the women’s international centuries list.
