Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the India women's cricket team across all formats, replacing Harmanpreet Kaur after nearly a decade in charge.

The decision was ratified during a review meeting attended by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, head coach Amol Muzumdar, and the two players. Reports indicate Kaur, 37, initially wanted to retain the One-Day International and Test captaincy to mentor younger teammates. The board ultimately selected Mandhana, 30, to lead the side in all three formats.

Kaur's leadership faced increased scrutiny following India's performance at the T20 World Cup in England and a recent dip in her batting output. Former players offered divided views on her continuation, with some pointing to her decade-long tenure and others advocating for a fresh leadership approach.

Kaur announced her departure via social media. "I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had," Kaur wrote. She added that her role as captain was over but her commitment to the sport remained intact. The BCCI will now determine whether she continues as a playing member, a transition that differs from recent changes in the men's setup where captaincy and playing spots were often linked.

Her tenure featured several historic milestones. Kaur first captained the side in 2016 before taking over all formats in 2022. She guided India to a historic ICC Women's Cricket World Cup victory in 2025, following a defining semi-final century against Australia in 2017 that sparked widespread interest in the sport. Since her international debut in 2009 at age 20, she has established herself as one of the most influential figures in Indian women's cricket.