Jhulan Goswami hails Harmanpreet Kaur after captaincy exit
Synopsis
Jhulan Goswami's tribute to Harmanpreet Kaur captures the weight of a captaincy legacy that delivered India's first senior women's ODI World Cup title, four Asia Cup crowns, and two Asian Games golds — all before Smriti Mandhana takes the baton. Harmanpreet steps back, but stays in the squad, signalling a rare and deliberate transition at the top of Indian women's cricket.
Key Takeaways
Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as India women's captain across ODI and T20I formats earlier this week.
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as India's new women's captain across formats.
Jhulan Goswami praised Harmanpreet's 'immense courage, strength, and conviction' in a social media post.
Harmanpreet led India to the maiden senior women's ODI World Cup title , defeating South Africa in the final on home soil.
She secured four Asia Cup titles (2012, 2016, 2022, 2026) and two Asian Games gold medals (Hangzhou 2022, Aichi-Nagoya 2026).
Harmanpreet remains in India's ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe .
Former India women's cricket pacer Jhulan Goswami has paid a heartfelt tribute to Harmanpreet Kaur following her decision to step down as India women's captain across all formats, praising her courage and urging her to play with newfound freedom. Harmanpreet's departure marks the end of one of the most decorated captaincy tenures in Indian women's cricket history.
Goswami's Tribute
'Leadership is never just about wearing the captain's badge — it's about carrying the hopes of a team, standing tall through the highs and lows, and leaving the game stronger than you found it,' Goswami wrote in a social media post.
The former India pace bowler lauded Harmanpreet for the manner in which she navigated her side through landmark moments. 'Harmanpreet, you have done that with immense courage, strength, and conviction, leading Indian women's cricket through some truly incredible moments and carrying the responsibility with pride,' she added.
A New Chapter Begins
Goswami expressed hope that stepping away from the captaincy would allow Harmanpreet to rediscover pure enjoyment on the field. 'As you step away from captaincy and into this new chapter, choosing to continue simply for the love of the game, I hope you enjoy every moment of it,' she wrote. 'Here's to playing with freedom, passion and the same spirit that has always made you a champion,' Goswami added, signing off her tribute by urging Harmanpreet to 'keep inspiring, keep playing, and most importantly, keep enjoying the game.'
Harmanpreet's Record as Captain
Harmanpreet Kaur had served as India's full-time T20I captain since 2018 and took over as ODI captain from Mithali Raj in 2022. The crowning achievement of her captaincy was leading India to their maiden senior women's ODI World Cup title, defeating South Africa in the final on home soil.
She also guided India to four Asia Cup titles — in 2012, 2016, 2022, and 2026 — and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals in Hangzhou (2022) and Aichi-Nagoya (2026). Under her leadership, India recorded their first bilateral Women's ODI series win in England since 1999 in 2022, a historic Test victory against Australia in 2023, a breakthrough T20I series win against England in 2025, and an England defeat by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's earlier this year.
What Changes Next
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as India's new captain across formats. Notably, Harmanpreet remains part of both the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, continuing her contribution as a player. The transition signals a generational shift in India women's cricket leadership, even as one of the format's most prolific match-winners remains available for selection.
Point of View
But it is also a reminder of how rarely Indian cricket manages leadership transitions without friction — women's or men's. The fact that she stays in the squad is significant: it avoids the awkward precedent of pushing out a match-winner to smooth a succession. Jhulan Goswami's tribute, while warm, underscores an unspoken truth — the burden of captaincy in Indian women's cricket is disproportionate to its institutional support. Mandhana now inherits a side that has punched above its weight precisely because of Harmanpreet's competitive edge; replicating that without her at the helm will be the real test of this transition.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Harmanpreet Kaur step down as India women's captain?
Harmanpreet Kaur announced her decision to relinquish the captaincy across all formats earlier this week. The specific reasons have not been publicly detailed, but she continues as a player in the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Zimbabwe series.
Who is the new India women's cricket captain?
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as India's new women's captain across ODI and T20I formats following Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation from the role.
What were Harmanpreet Kaur's biggest achievements as captain?
Harmanpreet led India to their maiden senior women's ODI World Cup title, four Asia Cup titles (2012, 2016, 2022, 2026), and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals in Hangzhou (2022) and Aichi-Nagoya (2026). She also oversaw historic wins including a 270-run victory over England in the first women's Test at Lord's.
What did Jhulan Goswami say about Harmanpreet's captaincy?
Jhulan Goswami wrote in a social media post that Harmanpreet carried 'immense courage, strength, and conviction' and led Indian women's cricket through 'truly incredible moments.' She urged Harmanpreet to now play with 'freedom, passion and the same spirit that has always made you a champion.'
Will Harmanpreet Kaur still play for India after stepping down as captain?
Yes. Harmanpreet Kaur remains part of India's ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, continuing her role as a player despite stepping away from the captaincy.
