GUWAHATI: Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats, bringing an end to her tenure as the only Indian captain to have led the side to a World Cup title.
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Harmanpreet announced her decision in a lengthy post on Instagram, saying it was not an easy call and carried years of memories, emotions and sacrifices.
“Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats. This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” she said.
The decision marks the end of a defining phase for Indian women’s cricket, during which Harmanpreet led the team to major milestones, including the ODI World Cup title and Asian Games gold.
Harmanpreet said she would continue to remain part of the team and that she had taken the decision because she believed it would help the side improve further.
“I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket- my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions,” she said.
She added that as captain, she had to make difficult decisions, some of which came at a personal cost, but said her intention was always to make the team better and give other players opportunities to grow.
“I have seen it all. I have seen the lowest moments, the heartbreak, the criticism, the doubts and the days when nothing seemed to go our way. And I have also experienced the highest highs – the victories, the celebrations, the pride of representing our country, and the moments that made every sacrifice worth it,” Harmanpreet said.
The veteran batter said she was stepping down with “a heart full of emotions” but also with peace, as she believed the team was in a good place with talent, character, belief and a strong future.
“I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket,” she said.
Harmanpreet also thanked her teammates, coaches, support staff, management, the BCCI, her family and fans for standing by her throughout her captaincy.
“Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will,” she said.
Her decision also opens the way for a new leadership phase, with long-time vice-captain Smriti Mandhana among the leading contenders to take over the captaincy.
“Blood. Sweat. Sacrifice. Pride. I gave it all. Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” Harmanpreet said.
