Smriti Mandhana replaces Harmanpreet Kaur as India women's team captain

Smriti Mandhana has been appointed the new captain of the India women's cricket team, replacing Harmanpreet Kaur. The 29-year-old will take charge as India's full-time white-ball captain after gaining leadership experience with the national team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

In Short

• Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as India's captain across all formats
• Smriti Mandhana guided RCB to two Women's Premier League titles
• Mandhana said leading India was a special honour and thanked the BCCI

Senior opener Smriti Mandhana has been named the new captain of the Indian women's cricket team, taking over from Harmanpreet Kaur as the BCCI begins a new chapter for the side.

Mandhana will lead India's white-ball teams, having already captained the side in 18 T20Is and four ODIs. The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the Indian team since making her international debut in 2013 and now takes on the biggest leadership role of her career.

Harmanpreet announced her decision to step down as India captain earlier on Tuesday in a social media post, following a review meeting with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, women's team head coach Amol Muzumdar and Mandhana in Guwahati on Monday.

She also has a proven record as a captain in franchise cricket, having guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.

Mandhana said leading India was a special honour and thanked the BCCI, selectors and her teammates for trusting her with the responsibility.

"To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour. Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply," Mandhana said.

"I am grateful to the BCCI, the selectors, my teammates and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey and for the trust they have placed in me.

"I would also like to acknowledge Harmanpreet and the contribution she has made as captain over the years. She has led the team with great commitment and has been an important part of our journey."

"I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and look forward to working with the team, learning along the way and giving my best to take Indian Cricket forward."

BCCI president Mithun Manhas backed Mandhana to handle the responsibility, pointing to her experience with the Indian team and her leadership qualities.

"I congratulate Smriti on being entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Women's Cricket Team. She has been an important part of Indian cricket for many years and has consistently shown the qualities required to lead from the front," Manhas said.

"Her experience and understanding of the game will be valuable as she takes on this responsibility."

BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia also pointed to Mandhana's success with RCB in the WPL as evidence of her leadership credentials.

"She has grown into one of the most experienced players in the Indian team and has been part of some very important moments in the journey of Indian women's cricket. She understands what it means to represent India and I am confident that she will bring that understanding to her role as captain," Saikia said.

"Leading India is a significant responsibility, but Smriti has the experience and temperament to take it on. Her success as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League is another example of her leadership qualities."

SHAFALI VICE-CAPTAIN, NIKI GETS MAIDEN CALL-UP

Shafali Verma has been named vice-captain of the Indian women's team for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, with Mandhana set to lead India in both T20Is and ODIs. The Women's Selection Committee announced the squads on Tuesday, with Niki Prasad earning her maiden India call-up after an impressive India A series against Australia A.

Niki was among the standout performers for India A in the series against Australia A, and her performances have earned her a place in the T20I squad for the three-match series in Raipur. Her inclusion is one of the notable talking points from the squad announcement, with the youngster now in line for her senior India debut.

Harmanpreet has also been included in the T20I squad, alongside wicketkeepers Richa Ghosh and G Kamalini. Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat and Sree Charani are among the other experienced and emerging names in the squad.

Shafali's appointment as vice-captain comes after Mandhana was named India's new captain. Deepti Sharma, meanwhile, will serve as Mandhana's deputy in the ODI format.

The T20I series against Zimbabwe will begin in Raipur on October 16, with the second and third matches scheduled for October 18 and 20. All three matches will begin at 7:00 PM IST.

INDIA's T20I SQUAD: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma (VC), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.

For the ODI series, Mandhana will captain the side, with Deepti serving as vice-captain. Harmanpreet has also been included, while Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis and Yastika Bhatia are among the other players named in the squad.

INDIA's ODI SQUAD: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (VC), Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.

The ODI series will be played in Vadodara, with India looking to build on the changes in leadership and give opportunities to several players in the squad.

- Ends