Harmanpreet Kaur: 'Still hungry to win more trophies for India'
Synopsis
After more than a decade leading India women's cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain — but she's not stepping back. In a candid interview, the 37-year-old insists the trophies aren't finished, the hunger hasn't faded, and her bond with new captain Smriti Mandhana makes this a handover, not a farewell.
Key Takeaways
Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as India women's cricket captain after more than a decade in the role, first assuming captaincy in 2012 .
She insists her ambition is intact: 'I am still hungry to contribute, perform and win more trophies for my country.' The decision was personal — driven by a desire to enjoy cricket and spend more time with family — not triggered by any single result, including the Asian Games gold medal .
Smriti Mandhana has taken over the captaincy; Harmanpreet says their decade-long partnership will ensure a smooth transition.
Freed from leadership duties, Harmanpreet plans to focus more on her batting while remaining open to an expanded bowling role.
Former India women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has said that relinquishing the captaincy has done nothing to dull her competitive edge, insisting she remains fully committed to performing for the national team and adding to her trophy haul. Speaking exclusively in an interview on 7 October 2026, the 37-year-old all-rounder outlined a new chapter defined by clarity, enjoyment, and continued contribution.
The Dream Lives On
'The journey looks no different to me as a cricketer, except that my role as captain has changed. The leadership within me will always remain, and I will continue to make my personal decisions with greater clarity while helping the team wherever my experience and inputs can add value,' Harmanpreet said.
She was unequivocal about her hunger for silverware: '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 and for all the fans who have shown me constant love and support over the years.'
Why She Stepped Down
Harmanpreet, who first assumed the captaincy in 2012 — a tenure spanning more than a decade — said the decision to step aside was driven entirely by a personal desire to recalibrate, not by any sense of fatigue or dissatisfaction with results.
'For me, stepping aside was not about feeling any burden. It was purely based on my personal desire to enjoy cricket and life at the same time, and to find more time for my family, friends and the things I have wanted to do,' she explained.
She also clarified that India's Asian Games gold medal, a standout achievement during her captaincy stint, did not trigger the transition. 'My decision was not based on one particular tournament or one particular result. It was a decision I arrived at after giving it a lot of thought and understanding what I wanted for myself,' she said.
Confidence in the New Captain
A central pillar of Harmanpreet's optimism about the team's future is her longstanding partnership with Smriti Mandhana, who has now taken over the captaincy. The two have shared the Indian dressing room for over a decade, building a rapport that goes well beyond the cricket field.
'Smriti and I have spent our peak years in this journey together. From training together and being at the NCA, to eating together and even playing video games, we have seen it all. Most importantly, we have always had a strong understanding of each other, and I believe that will benefit us even more now,' Harmanpreet said, adding that she would be 'very happy to support her and stand alongside her.'
Freedom to Focus on Her Game
The shift in responsibility will allow Harmanpreet to direct greater attention to her individual performance. She acknowledged that captaincy sometimes required personal ambitions to yield to team priorities.
'I wouldn't say I had to compromise on my personal performances, but yes, sometimes my personal goals and targets had to take a back seat. Now I want to approach my game with even more clarity — understanding my role, executing it well and, most importantly, enjoying every bit of cricket,' she said.
She also signalled openness to a more prominent bowling role if the team demands it: 'Whenever and wherever my team requires me to perform a particular role, I will be happy to do it.'
A New Beginning, Not an Ending
Harmanpreet framed the transition philosophically, drawing on the cycle of leadership she has witnessed across her career. 'When the baton was passed on to me, I took it with full responsibility and gave it everything I had. Somewhere along the way, I always knew that one day I would have to pass that baton on to someone else,' she reflected.
'This is not the end of a journey. It is simply another beginning — another opportunity for an athlete to achieve goals, make memories and continue contributing to the team,' she added.
With Mandhana now at the helm and Harmanpreet freed from the administrative weight of leadership, the evolution of Indian women's cricket's most experienced core will be closely watched in the seasons ahead.
Point of View
But the timing — post Asian Games gold — raises a question mainstream coverage has largely sidestepped: did the team's strong recent form make this the ideal moment to exit on a high, rather than risk a more fraught departure later? Her effusive praise for Mandhana is genuine, but it also serves a political purpose within the squad dynamic, signalling continuity to selectors and the BCCI. The more substantive question is whether Harmanpreet, at 37, can sustain elite batting output without the adrenaline of captaincy — history suggests leadership often extends careers rather than burdening them. Indian women's cricket has rarely managed a captaincy succession cleanly; how Harmanpreet and Mandhana navigate the inevitable moments of on-field tension will define whether this handover holds.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Harmanpreet Kaur step down as India women's cricket captain?
Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as India women's captain after more than a decade in the role, citing a personal desire to enjoy cricket and spend more time with family and friends. She clarified the decision was not triggered by any particular result or tournament, including the Asian Games gold medal.
Who has replaced Harmanpreet Kaur as India women's cricket captain?
Smriti Mandhana has taken over as captain of the India women's cricket team. Harmanpreet and Mandhana have shared the Indian setup for over a decade and Harmanpreet said their strong mutual understanding would help the team transition smoothly.
Will Harmanpreet Kaur continue playing for India after stepping down as captain?
Yes, Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed she will continue playing for India and remains focused on contributing with both bat and ball. She said she is 'still hungry to contribute, perform and win more trophies' for the country.
When did Harmanpreet Kaur first become captain of the India women's team?
Harmanpreet Kaur first assumed the captaincy of the India women's cricket team in 2012, a tenure that spanned more than a decade before she stepped aside following India's Asian Games campaign.
What did Harmanpreet Kaur say about her future role in the team?
Harmanpreet said she plans to focus on her batting with greater clarity and enjoyment, while also being open to taking on a larger bowling role if the team requires it. She described the transition as 'another beginning' rather than an end to her career.
