Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all three formats, marking a significant transition in leadership for Indian women’s cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the appointment on October 6, 2026, following Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down from the role.
The announcement came after a review meeting with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar, and Mandhana herself in Guwahati on Monday. The BCCI released an official statement confirming the appointment: “Having been part of the Indian team since 2013, Smriti brings considerable experience into the role. She will now take on the responsibility of leading the side, with the team entering a new phase and continuing to build on the progress made in recent years.”
Smriti Mandhana’s Leadership Credentials
Smriti Mandhana brings substantial captaincy experience to the role. She has previously captained the Indian Women’s Cricket Team in 18 T20 Internationals, recording 11 wins and six defeats with one match ending in no result. Additionally, she has captained India in four ODI matches, demonstrating leadership capability across multiple formats.
Most significantly, Mandhana has achieved remarkable success as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League, leading the franchise to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026. Her success in franchise cricket, combined with her international experience as vice-captain under Harmanpreet Kaur, made her the natural choice to lead India into the next chapter.
Smriti Mandhana Career Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| International Debut | 2013 |
| T20I Captaincy Record | 18 matches (11 wins, 6 defeats, 1 no result) |
| ODI Captaincy Record | 4 matches |
| WPL Titles | 2 (2024, 2026) as RCB captain |
| Career Format Centuries | All three formats (Test, ODI, T20I) |
| International Experience | 150+ T20I matches |
| ODI Centuries | 10 centuries (fastest Indian woman) |
| Total International Runs | 9,000+ runs |
Mandhana stands as one of Indian women’s cricket’s most accomplished players. She became the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in all three international formats during the 2025 England tour. She is also the top overall run scorer in international women’s cricket and holds numerous records in limited-overs formats.
Reason for Harmanpreet’s Departure
Harmanpreet Kaur announced her decision to step down as captain through a social media post, following discussions with the BCCI leadership. While reports suggested the board wanted her to continue as skipper in ODIs and Test cricket, Harmanpreet ultimately decided to step away from the captaincy role entirely.
Harmanpreet’s tenure as captain was marked by significant success, including India’s maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory in 2025 and the team’s record eighth Asia Cup crown in 2026. She also led India to successfully defend their women’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, just two weeks before stepping down.
Recent Tournament Successes
| Tournament | Year | Result | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICC Women’s World Cup | 2025 | Champions | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Women’s Asia Cup | 2026 | Champions (8th title) | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Asian Games 2026 | 2026 | Gold Medal (Defense) | Harmanpreet Kaur |
The Indian Women’s Cricket Team enters Mandhana’s captaincy on the back of unprecedented success. The team’s performance in recent tournaments demonstrates the strength and depth of the squad she will be leading into future campaigns.
Succession and Team Transition
Mandhana’s appointment represents a smooth transition in leadership, with the 28-year-old inheriting a successful side entering a new competitive phase. Her experience as vice-captain provided her with insights into team dynamics and the pressures of international cricket leadership.
The BCCI’s decision reflected confidence in Mandhana’s ability to continue building on India’s recent achievements while establishing her own identity as captain. With major tournaments on the horizon, including bilateral series against top nations and upcoming ICC tournaments, Mandhana faces the responsibility of maintaining India’s competitive edge while developing the team for sustained success.
International Experience
Mandhana’s journey in international cricket spans over a decade. Since her debut in 2013, she has established herself as a cornerstone of Indian women’s cricket. Her ability to perform consistently across formats, maintain fitness, and provide stability in the batting order makes her an ideal choice for captaincy.
As captain, she will be expected to replicate the success achieved by Harmanpreet Kaur while bringing her own leadership approach and tactical vision to the team. Her track record in franchise cricket and her understanding of modern limited-overs cricket should serve the Indian team well in the coming years.
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FAQs
Why did Harmanpreet Kaur step down as captain?
Harmanpreet Kaur announced her decision to step down following a review meeting with BCCI leadership. While specific reasons were not publicly disclosed, she chose to relinquish the captaincy role entirely.
What are Smriti Mandhana's captaincy records?
Mandhana has captained India in 18 T20Is (11 wins, 6 defeats, 1 no result) and 4 ODIs. She has also led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two WPL titles in 2024 and 2026.
Is Smriti Mandhana captain across all formats?
Yes, Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across Test, ODI, and T20I formats.
What major tournaments did Harmanpreet lead India to victory in?
Harmanpreet led India to win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025, the Asia Cup in 2026, and the Asian Games gold medal in 2026.
When was Smriti appointed captain?
Smriti Mandhana was appointed captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team on October 6, 2026, succeeding Harmanpreet Kaur.
