Former India women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed full confidence in Smriti Mandhana to carry Indian women's cricket forward, saying she is certain her long-time teammate will thrive in the new leadership role. Harmanpreet, 37, stepped down as captain across all formats on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, ending a tenure that began in 2012 — a span of more than a decade at the helm of Indian women's cricket.

Why Harmanpreet Stepped Down

Harmanpreet was clear that her resignation was not triggered by any single tournament or result, including India's Asian Games gold medal — the last major assignment she led the side through. She described the move as a deeply personal one, driven by a desire to rediscover enjoyment in the game, sharpen her focus as a batter, and reclaim time for family and friends.

'I simply wanted to pass on the baton for my own reasons — to play with more enjoyment, while continuing to be there for my team with my experience, quality and mentorship,' she said in an interview.

She added that the decision came after extended reflection on her own journey as a cricketer, rather than any external pressure or institutional push. 'It was purely based on my personal desire to enjoy cricket and life at the same time,' she noted.

A Decade of Leadership — What Captaincy Taught Her

When Harmanpreet first took charge in 2012, the responsibility arrived almost unexpectedly. Over the following years, she steered India through World Cup heartbreaks, near-misses, and eventually the side's maiden ODI World Cup title — a milestone she described as 'one big dream I wanted to live.' She said the triumph brought immense satisfaction and left no regrets.

Reflecting on what the role demanded of her, Harmanpreet said captaincy taught her to 'stand on the frontline and take responsibility — not just for the criticism, but also for the victories.' She acknowledged that personal batting targets occasionally had to take a back seat, though she maintained she always prioritised her game even while leading the side.

'As a captain, there are times when you have to put aside your personal dilemmas and move forward because you have a team following you,' she explained.

Harmanpreet on Mandhana: 'We Have Built This Team Together'

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet have shared the Indian dressing room for over a decade, training together at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and navigating the team's evolution side by side. Harmanpreet said the depth of that relationship — built through shared meals, team decisions, and even video games — would now work to Mandhana's advantage as the new captain.

'I am very happy that it is Smriti, who has been alongside me for more than a decade. We have shared the same table, made decisions together and seen Indian cricket evolve, so I know that understanding will continue to be valuable,' Harmanpreet said. She added that she would be 'very happy to support her and stand alongside her' in Mandhana's new role.

What Changes for Harmanpreet the Cricketer

With the captaincy burden lifted, Harmanpreet said she is keen to contribute more freely — including reviving her all-round role. She confirmed she is ready to bowl more regularly if the team requires it, and wants to approach batting with 'even more clarity — understanding my role, executing it well and, most importantly, enjoying every bit of cricket.'

She was emphatic that her ambitions as a player remain intact. 'The dream is definitely not over. The trophies are not finished either. I am still hungry to contribute, perform and win more trophies for my country,' she said, signalling that Indian cricket fans can expect Harmanpreet to remain a central figure in the squad for some time yet.