Smriti Mandhana Appointed as New Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket Team

After Harmanpreet Kaur Has Stepped Down as the Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team Across All Three Formats from Test, ODI and T20I, Indian Women Cricket has entered a new chapter as Smriti Mandhana Appointed as New Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket Team.

This announcement has declared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on October 6, 2026, confirming that Mandhana will lead the team as a new captain of Women Cricket team for India for full-time, and she will lead in both ODIs & T20Is format.

The appointment comes after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from captaincy across all formats. Harmanpreet, however, will continue to represent India as a player.

Smriti Mandhana Appointed as New Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket Team

A dawn of a new era ✨ Smriti Mandhana takes charge as the Captain of the Indian Women's cricket team 🇮🇳 Go well, Captain 🫡 More details ▶️ https://t.co/tbLb4jOiCn #TeamIndia | @mandhana_smriti https://t.co/27AxmrUhKt

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2026

According to the BCCI, Smriti Mandhana will take over the team as new Captain of Indian Women Cricket team in ODIs & T20I format.

She joined the Indian Cricket team since 2013, and right now she is one of the most senior player in Indian Women Cricket team.

Before becoming the full time captain of Women Cricket team, she had already lead the Team India in 18 T20s, and four ODIs matches.

She is also captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) under whom leadership, RCB wins the title of Women’s Premier League in 2024 & 2026.

So, under her leadership, Indian Women Cricket team will be in new direction, and more focused for the upcoming all the ODIs & T20 format matches. 

Smriti Mandhana Captaincy: Key Facts

Source: BCCI

Why Was Smriti Mandhana Appointed Captain?

Mandhana brings considerable international experience to the role. She has been part of the Indian team for more than a decade and has played an important role across formats.

The BCCI also highlighted her leadership experience with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League. Her success as captain at the franchise level has added to her credentials for leading India.

BCCI President Mithun Manhas congratulated Mandhana and said that her experience and understanding of the game would be valuable in her new role.

BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia also pointed to Mandhana's experience and her leadership success with RCB as important qualities for the role. 

What Did Smriti Mandhana Say After Becoming Captain?

After her appointment, Mandhana described the opportunity to lead India as a special honour.

She thanked the BCCI, selectors, teammates and supporters for their trust. She also acknowledged Harmanpreet Kaur's contribution as captain and said she looked forward to working with the team and taking Indian cricket forward. 

Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as Captain

The change in leadership follows Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down as India's captain.

Harmanpreet had led India across formats and played an important role in the growth of women's cricket in the country.

Her leadership included several major achievements. Under her captaincy, India:

• Reached the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup final

• Won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

• Won India's first women's cricket gold medal at the Asian Games

• Won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in 2025

• Won a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal in 2026 

The 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup victory was the biggest achievement of Harmanpreet's captaincy, as India won its first-ever Women's Cricket World Cup title.

Harmanpreet will continue to play for India and support the team under its new leadership.

Smriti Mandhana to Lead India Against Zimbabwe

Mandhana's first full-time assignment comes with India's upcoming home series against Zimbabwe.

The BCCI has named her captain for both the T20I and ODI squads. Shafali Verma has been named T20I vice-captain, while Deepti Sharma will serve as ODI vice-captain.

India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2026 Schedule

The T20I matches will be played in Raipur, while the ODI series will be held in Vadodara.

India Women's T20I Squad vs Zimbabwe

According to the BCCI announcement, India's T20I squad is:

1. Smriti Mandhana (C)

2. Shafali Verma (VC)

3. Niki Prasad

4. Harmanpreet Kaur

5. Anushka Sharma

6. Richa Ghosh (WK)

7. G Kamalini (WK)

8. Deepti Sharma

9. Prema Rawat

10. Sree Charani

11. Nandni Sharma

12. Kranti Gaud

13. Arundhati Reddy

14. Jintimani Kalita

15. Minnu Mani

India Women's ODI Squad vs Zimbabwe

India's ODI squad is:

1. Smriti Mandhana (C)

2. Shafali Verma

3. Pratika Rawal

4. Harmanpreet Kaur

5. Harleen Deol

6. Tejal Hasabnis

7. Deepti Sharma (VC)

8. Richa Ghosh (WK)

9. Yastika Bhatia (WK)

10. Vaishnavi Sharma

11. Nandni Sharma

12. Sree Charani

13. Kranti Gaud

14. Sayali Satghare

15. Renuka Thakur

What Does Mandhana's Appointment Mean for Indian Women's Cricket?

Smriti Mandhana's appointment marks a new phase for Indian women's cricket.

She has already spent more than a decade in international cricket and has experience of leading both India and RCB. Her challenge now will be to build on the success achieved by the previous leadership and guide India through upcoming international competitions.

The transition also provides continuity because Harmanpreet Kaur will remain part of the playing squad. Her experience can continue to benefit the team while Mandhana takes over the leadership responsibility.

Smriti Mandhana as India's New Captain: Key Takeaways

• Smriti Mandhana has been appointed India's full-time white-ball captain.

• She will lead India in ODIs and T20Is.

• The BCCI announced her appointment on October 6, 2026.

• Mandhana has represented India since 2013.

• She had previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs.

• She led RCB to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026.

• Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain but will continue as a player.

• Mandhana's first full-time assignment will be India's T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe.