Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Smriti Mandhana appointed India women's cricket captain
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has named opener Smriti Mandhana as captain of the Indian women's cricket team, following Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down from the role.
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The BCCI announced the appointment on Tuesday, a day after Harmanpreet Kaur formally announced her resignation as captain following a review meeting in Guwahati. The meeting, held Monday, included BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, women's team head coach Amol Muzumdar, and Mandhana.
Mandhana, a senior opening batter, has established herself as one of Indian women's cricket's most prominent figures since joining the national team in 2013. The BCCI cited her consistent performances across all formats and her proven leadership credentials in both domestic and franchise cricket.
Most recently, Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026, demonstrating her ability to lead at the highest competitive level. Her appointment comes as India looks to maintain momentum in women's international cricket across ODIs, Tests, and T20 formats.
As captain, Mandhana will oversee a squad that has made significant strides in recent years under previous leadership. Her experience as an international cricketer and track record in franchise leagues position her to guide the team's development in the coming period.