Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as Indian women's cricket captain

India's only women's cricket world cup winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the position on Tuesday.

Kaur, who had captained India to the 2026 Asian Games gold last month, took to social media to reveal her decision.

"Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats," Kaur wrote.

"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," she added.

Kaur also reiterated that she'll continue to play the sport and stepping down from captaincy doesn't mean she is retiring.

"Now, I’m ready to play for the love of the game again. Captaincy ends. The journey continues," she wrote.

Kaur had taken over as the captain of the Indian women's cricket across formats in 2022 after Mithali Raj's retirement.

However, she had first captained India more than a decade ago in 2012 before being named the full-time T20I captain in 2016.

"I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket — my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions," she wrote.

"There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first.

"As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. But every decision I made was with one intention - to make this TEAM better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves," she further added.

Kaur's decision comes after a prolonged inconsistent returns with the bat. With Smriti Mandhana staking claim with her success in the Women's Premier League (WPL), it was only a matter of time before Kaur had to step aside.

"I leave the captaincy today with a heart full of emotions , but also with PEACE," stated Kaur.

"Because I genuinely believe My team is in a good place. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of . I feel I have done my duty.

"I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women’s cricket. Now, it is time for me to turn the page," she added.