BCCI Names Smriti Mandhana India Women’s Captain

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has appointed Smriti Mandhana captain of India’s women’s team after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role. Mandhana is set to lead the side in the T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe, while Kaur remains available as a player. The appointment was announced on October 6, the same day Kaur said she was leaving the captaincy. The board’s announcement did not specify the formats covered by Mandhana’s new role. Reports differ on whether she has been named captain across all formats or as the full-time white-ball captain, responsible for one-day internationals and T20 internationals. Mandhana has previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, according to the appointment announcement. She has been part of the national team since 2013 and served as Kaur’s vice-captain. In her response to the appointment, Mandhana called the role a special honour and acknowledged Kaur’s contribution to the team. Kaur announced her decision in a social media post, saying she would continue playing for India. Her statement did not name a successor or explain the specific reasons for her departure.