‘I Have Done My Duty’: Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Captain Across All Formats

India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain across all three formats, bringing an end to a leadership tenure that included the country’s maiden senior ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title and two consecutive Asian Games gold medals.

Kaur announced her decision in an emotional social media post on Tuesday, saying she would continue to play for India but was ready to move into a new phase of her career. The 37-year-old took over as India’s regular T20I captain in 2016 and became the full-time ODI and Test captain in 2022 after Mithali Raj’s retirement.

“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,” Kaur wrote.

She said she had put the team ahead of her individual ambitions and had taken difficult decisions with the aim of helping other players grow.

Kaur etched her name in history by leading India to their first senior ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title, defeating South Africa in the final on home soil. She also guided India to gold at the 2022 and 2026 Asian Games.

Under her leadership, India also won the Women’s Asia Cup in 2016, 2022 and 2026. Kaur had served as stand-in captain for the 2012 Asia Cup final, when Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were unavailable due to injuries.

“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,” she said.

Kaur also led India to their first bilateral women’s ODI series win in England since 1999 in 2022, their first Test victory against Australia in 2023 and a maiden T20I series win against England in 2025.

She became the first cricketer, male or female, to captain a team in 150 T20Is during the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.

Earlier this year, Kaur also led India in the historic first-ever Women’s Test at Lord’s, where India defeated England by 270 runs.

“I leave the captaincy today with a heart full of emotions, but also with PEACE. Because I genuinely believe my team is in a good place,” Kaur said.

“Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will. … Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” she added.