07 October,2026 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Harmanpreet Kaur. Pic/BCCI
[popcorn number="One" desc="No. of Women's ODI World Cup titles won by India under Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership (2025)" class="Default"]
[popcorn number="Two" desc="No. of Asian Games gold medals won by India's women under Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership (2023 and 2026)" class="Default"]
[popcorn number="Four" desc="No. of Women's Asia Cup titles won by India under Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership (2012, 2016, 2023 and 2026)" class="Default"]
[popcorn number="155" desc="No. of T20Is Harmanpreet Kaur led India in; the most for any captain in women's cricket" class="Default"]
Former India women's captains Diana Edulji and Shubhangi Kulkarni, along with former national chief selector Neetu David, have welcomed India's ODI World Cup-winning skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down as captain on Tuesday.
Announcing her decision to quit captaincy, Kaur, 37, who led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is, added that she intends to continue playing.
"She won the Asia Cup, then the Asian Games, so it's the right time to go out on a high. It's a good development because we need to give the new captain time. We've got the World Cup coming up and the LA Olympics [in 2028], so the team needs to settle down under a new captain," Edulji told mid-day on Tuesday.
"Harmanpreet should now enjoy whatever cricket is left in her and perform with the bat. If she's struggling in the T20 format, she can look at the longer version and concentrate on that," Edulji added.
The national selectors named Smriti Mandhana as India's new captain, and Edulji has no doubt that the opening batter will excel in her new role. "It's long overdue and she [Mandhana] needs time too, as big events are coming up. You can't just go before a World Cup, give her the captaincy and say, âWin us the World Cup.' Her mindset, game awareness and leadership will also help her batting. I feel we need to have two young vice-captains as well," said Edulji, who played 20 Tests and 34 ODIs between 1976 and 1993.
Meanwhile, Kulkarni, who represented India in 19 Tests and 27 ODIs between 1976 and 1991, hailed Kaur's leadership and credited her with instilling a winning mindset in the team.
"Harmanpreet has a very good record as captain. She has worn her heart on her sleeve and has never been diplomatic. She always said whatever she felt, but more importantly she brought a winning mindset to this team. This team now always believes it can win. So, she leaves behind a fine legacy as captain," Kulkarni told mid-day over the phone from Pune.
Kulkarni, a former Maharashtra captain, is confident Sangli girl Mandhana will do well, having led Maharashtra, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and India (in Kaur's absence).
"Smriti is the vice-captain and has also led in Harman's absence. She's an excellent player and has performed brilliantly for India. But expectations will be high from her, particularly after the ODI World Cup last year. She has the experience so I'm sure she will be up to the task," Kulkarni added.
Meanwhile, former national chief selector David, who served in the role till last September, praised Kaur's communication with the selection committee. "Whenever we used to talk, she [Kaur] gave great suggestions. Our communication was good and we never felt that we were on a different page. She has taken the right decision at the right time. It's not that she had any shortcomings in her captaincy, but we need a new captain because India is looking ahead to the future. Harmanpreet has been India's most successful captain, there's no doubt about that," said David, who played 10 Tests and 97 ODIs.
