India's World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet steps down

Harmanpreet Kaur: India's World Cup-winning captain steps down from role across all three formats of cricket Harmanpreet Kaur led India to first-ever global women's cricket title on home soil in 2025 as they beat South Africa in the 50-over World Cup final; batter, 37, says she has given "everything" to India while captaining in five Tests, 51 one-day internationals and 155 T20 internationals Tuesday 6 October 2026 08:56, UK India's World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from the role across all three formats. The batter, 37, led India to their first-ever global women's title at the 2025 50-over World Cup on home soil. Harmanpreet is only the third Indian captain, after men's players Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to guide a team to victory in that event. - Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract with NOW - Listen to latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast Her last act in charge was steering her country to a second straight Asian Games gold last month, with India thrashing Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final. Overall, she captained in five Tests, 51 one-day internationals and 155 T20 internationals. 'I have given everything I had to this team' Writing on Instagram, Harmanpreet said: "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. "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. "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. "I leave the captaincy with a heart full of emotions but also with peace. 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." Harmanpreet's final Test as captain was the 270-run drubbing of England at Lord's in July, the first women's Test to be held at the ground. She became T20 captain in 2016 and added the Test and ODI roles when Mithali Raj retired in 2022. [Image text:] WORLOCUP INDIA