Smriti Mandhana Appointed Indian Women’s Cricket Team Captain
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, marking a new chapter in the leadership of Indian women’s cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the appointment on October 6, 2026, following Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down from the captaincy across formats.
Mandhana, one of India’s leading batters, brings considerable international experience to the role. She has been part of the national team since 2013 and has served as Harmanpreet’s deputy for an extended period. Her experience as a leader also includes captaincy assignments in international cricket and the Women’s Premier League.
According to the BCCI, Mandhana will take charge as the full-time captain in white-ball cricket, assuming responsibility for guiding the team through its upcoming international commitments. She has previously captained India in 18 Twenty20 Internationals and four One-Day Internationals, giving her experience of leading the side at the international level.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s departure from the captaincy brings an end to a significant period of leadership. During her tenure, she played a prominent role in Indian women’s cricket and led the team through several important international campaigns. She has confirmed that she will continue playing for India despite relinquishing the leadership role.
Mandhana’s appointment comes with expectations of continuity, strong batting performances and further development of the team. As an experienced opener, she has been a key contributor to India’s batting across formats and has established herself as one of the prominent figures in women’s international cricket.
The leadership change represents an important transition for the national side as it prepares for its next set of international fixtures. Mandhana will be expected to combine her experience as a senior player with the responsibilities of captaincy, including team strategy, decision-making and supporting emerging talent.
With the BCCI confirming the appointment, Indian women’s cricket enters a new leadership phase under Mandhana. Her performance as captain will be closely watched as the team looks to build on its recent achievements and maintain its competitiveness on the international stage.
