Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain | Source- AFPIn a major development, India's World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as all-format skipper.Two weeks ago, under Harmanpreet's captaincy, India won its second successive Asian Games Gold Medal in Aichi-Nagoya. However, her biggest achievement came nearly a year ago, when she led the Women in Blue to their ICC ODI World Cup triumph at home.Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captainWhile taking it to social media, the legendary Harmanpreet Kaur announced her decision to step down as India captain. Notably, she had a meeting with the BCCI secratary Devajit Saikia and Smriti Mandhana in Guhawati on Monday, where the team's performances where evaluted. "Today, I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats," Harmanpreet Kaur announced through her social media handle. "This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life."Harmanpreet is the only captain to win four Asia Cups, along with her World Cup and Asian Games titles. Moreover, she helped Team India secure a historic silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.Under her captaincy, India won 92 T20Is and 30 ODI matches. ALSO READMumbai’s Ranji Trophy Squad- Suryakumar Yadav Available, Shardul Thakur Injured: Report"I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket. As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. But every decision I made was with one intention," Harman added. Who is next in line to replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India captain?After Harmanpreet Kaur, the national selectors have named the current vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, as the obvious successor. Reportedly, as per a TOI journalist, the opening batter is “set to take over”, starting a new era in Indian cricket.“Harmanpreet Kaur quits as the Indian captain in all three formats of the game! Smriti Mandhana (is) set to take over. A new era, heralded by Mandhana, is set to begin in the Indian women's team!” the journalist tweeted. Gaurav Gupta @toi_gauravG BIG BREAKING!!!!! #HarmanpreetKaur quits as the Indian captain in all three formats of the game!! #SmritiMandhana set to take over..a new era, heralded by Mandhana, is set to begin in Indian womens 🏏 team!!! Mandhana, who has won as many WPL trophies as Harmanpreet, has been an astute leader in the few opportunities she has had to captain the national side, winning 15 of 22 matches across white-ball formats. Meanwhile, the BCCI could also consider three separate captains for the different forms of the game. Nevertheless, the Indian board would sooner or later announce Harman’s successor, as Team India’s next assignment - three T20Is and three ODIs vs Zimbabwe - is set to begin on October 16. ALSO READ"End of an Era"- Internet Pays Tribute As Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down As India Captain
