Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India women’s captain across formats

India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Tuesday announced her decision to step down as captain across all formats with immediate effect, ending a leadership tenure highlighted by India’s historic Women’s World Cup triumph last year.

Harmanpreet made the announcement in a lengthy post on Instagram, saying the decision was difficult but that she was leaving the captaincy with “peace” and confidence in the team’s future.

“I feel I have done my duty,” she said, adding that she would remain available to play for India in all formats.

Harmanpreet took over as India’s full-time captain across formats after Mithali Raj retired in 2022, having earlier led the side periodically as her deputy. She has been India’s T20I captain since 2016. Her final assignment as skipper was leading India to a second consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games last month.Under her leadership, India won their maiden Women’s World Cup title last year, defeating South Africa in the final after knocking out defending champions and favourites Australia in the semi-final.

Harmanpreet has led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is. She holds the record for the most T20I matches captained by any player in men’s or women’s cricket and has played 210 T20Is, also the most across genders.

She is only the third Indian captain after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni to win a 50-over World Cup and one of five Indian captains to win a World Cup in any format.

Harmanpreet made her international debut in an ODI against Pakistan in March 2009. She made her T20I debut against England later that year and her Test debut against England in August 2014.

“Captaincy ends. The journey continues,” Harmanpreet said, confirming that she will now focus on playing the game she loves.