NEW DELHI: Harmanpreet Kaur’s 2025 Women’s World Cup triumph will remain the defining achievement of her captaincy and ensure that her contribution to Indian cricket occupies a “special place” in its history, the BCCI said on Tuesday after the veteran batter stepped down as India’s leader across formats.BCCI president Mithun Manhas paid tribute to Harmanpreet’s leadership during a significant period of growth for women’s cricket in India, while expressing satisfaction that the 37-year-old will continue to represent the country as a player.“Harmanpreet Kaur’s contribution as captain will always hold a special place in the history of Indian cricket,” Manhas said in a statement issued by the BCCI.“The World Cup victory in 2025 will undoubtedly be the defining achievement of her captaincy. It was the culmination of years of progress, hard work and belief. Her Asian Games gold medals and the many important victories during her tenure further underline the contribution she has made.”
From World Cup triumph to a new chapter
Harmanpreet took over India’s T20I captaincy in 2016 before becoming the full-time ODI and Test skipper in 2022 following Mithali Raj’s retirement. Her leadership stint culminated with India winning their maiden Women’s World Cup title in 2025 and successfully defending their Asian Games gold in Nagoya, Japan, last month.In her communication to the BCCI, Harmanpreet said she believed the time was right to hand over the captaincy but made it clear that her commitment to Indian cricket remained unchanged.“Leading India has been one of the greatest honours and privileges of my life,” she said.“After careful consideration, I believe that this is the right time for me to hand over the responsibility of captaincy and allow the team to move forward under new leadership.”The former captain also confirmed that she intends to continue playing for India and contribute to the team in a different capacity.“However, my commitment to Indian cricket remains as strong as ever. I would like to continue representing the Indian Women’s Cricket Team as a player and contribute to the team’s success in every way I can,” she said.
A captaincy defined by historic milestones
Harmanpreet’s crowning achievement came in the 2025 World Cup final in Navi Mumbai, where India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to win their first ODI World Cup title.She had also played a pivotal role in the semifinal against Australia, scoring 89 and sharing a match-winning 167-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues as India chased down a record 339.Her leadership journey began more than a decade earlier. She first captained India in the 2012 Women’s T20 Asia Cup final against Pakistan after Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were ruled out through injury, guiding the side to an 18-run victory and the inaugural title.She became India’s regular T20I captain in 2016 and assumed the ODI and Test captaincy after Mithali’s retirement. Under her leadership, India reached the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup final, won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and claimed their first Asian Games gold that year before successfully defending the title in Nagoya.Harmanpreet’s longevity has also produced a series of individual milestones. This year, she became the most-capped international player in women’s cricket, while also becoming the first player to feature in 200 T20Is and the first to captain in 150 T20Is.Long before becoming India’s all-format captain, she had established herself as one of the country’s biggest match-winners, most famously smashing an unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semifinal.
BCCI backs Harmanpreet’s decision to continue playing
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said Harmanpreet could be “immensely proud” of what she achieved as captain, particularly the journey that eventually culminated in the World Cup triumph.“You experienced the disappointment of falling short, but continued to believe in the team and its ability to achieve more. That is what made the World Cup victory in 2025 so special,” Saikia said.“You had been part of the journey for many years and eventually had the opportunity to lead India to its first Women’s Cricket World Cup title. That will always remain one of the great moments in Indian cricket.”Saikia also praised the thought behind Harmanpreet’s decision to step aside while continuing as a player, saying her experience and influence would remain valuable to the younger members of the side.“I also appreciate the thought and consideration with which you have taken this decision. You have chosen to hand over the responsibility at a time when you believe the team is ready for a new chapter, while continuing to contribute as a player,” he said.Harmanpreet, meanwhile, said she was looking forward to remaining part of the India setup and supporting the team’s new leadership.“I look forward to continuing this journey in the India jersey and contributing to Indian cricket with the same pride, humility and commitment that I have always carried,” she said.
