Smriti Mandhana to Lead India as New Women's Cricket Captain
Smriti Mandhana succeeds Harmanpreet Kaur as the new white-ball captain of the Indian women's cricket team, following her WPL success.
A new era is dawning for Indian women's cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced Smriti Mandhana as the successor to Harmanpreet Kaur, appointing her to lead the national side following the conclusion of Kaur's tenure on Tuesday.
Mandhana, a cornerstone of the Indian lineup for over a decade, will take over the reins as the full-time white-ball captain. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the team seeks to build upon the momentum gained in recent years and transition into a fresh phase of international competition.
A Proven Leader on the Big Stage
While Mandhana has been a mainstay in the Indian squad since 2013, her leadership credentials have been sharpened significantly in the franchise circuit. Most notably, she demonstrated her tactical prowess by captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League (WPL) titles in both 2024 and 2026.
Though she has previously led India in 18 T20Is and 4 ODIs, this new role marks her first official stint as the permanent white-ball leader. Her extensive experience across all formats and her ability to perform under pressure make her the natural choice for the selectors.
Mandhana Reflects on the Honour
Expressing her gratitude upon the announcement, Mandhana highlighted the weight of the responsibility. “To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour,” she stated. “Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply.”
She also took a moment to pay tribute to her predecessor, acknowledging the foundation laid by Harmanpreet Kaur. “I would also like to acknowledge Harmanpreet and the contribution she has made as captain over the years. She has led the team with great commitment and has been an important part of our journey,” Mandhana added.
BCCI Expresses Full Confidence
The top brass of the BCCI has rallied behind the new captain, citing her temperament and professional approach as key assets for the national team.
- Mithun Manhas, BCCI President: Congratulated Mandhana, noting that her understanding of the game will be invaluable. He expressed the board's full confidence in her ability to lead with professionalism.
- Devajit Saikia, BCCI Honorary Secretary: Pointed to her WPL success as a testament to her leadership qualities, stating she possesses the temperament required to handle the significant responsibility of representing India.
As the Indian women's team prepares for its next set of fixtures, all eyes will be on Mandhana to see how her captaincy style translates from the franchise arena to the global international stage.