Overview
- Harmanpreet announced on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in an Instagram post that she is stepping down as captain across all formats but will remain available to play for India.
- The decision came after a BCCI review meeting in Guwahati that included BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, vice‑captain Smriti Mandhana, and head coach Amol Muzumdar.
- Harmanpreet leaves more than a decade of leadership: she captained T20s from 2016, took on ODI duties after 2022 and became all‑format captain in 2023.
- Her tenure delivered major trophies, including the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup and the 2026 Asian Games gold, but 2026 also saw mixed results such as a T20 World Cup group‑stage exit and several bilateral series losses.
- The BCCI has not formally named a successor; media reports identify Smriti Mandhana as the front‑runner and Harmanpreet’s return to a non‑captain role could shift team selection and batting responsibilities ahead of upcoming events.