Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana [Source: AFP]India Women's head coach Amol Muzumdar refused to provide any clarity on Harmanpreet Kaur's future as the T20I captain following India's disappointing exit from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.Notably, India's campaign came to an end after a defeat against Australia in their final Group A match at Lord's on Sunday, June 28. The loss meant Harmanpreet Kaur's side finished outside the semifinal spots after suffering defeats to both South Africa and Australia.India's T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign Ends In DisappointmentIt is important to note that India started their campaign on a positive note with convincing victories over Pakistan and Netherlands. However, their momentum was halted after a defeat vs South Africa in Manchester.Despite the setback, Harmanpreet and co. kept their semifinal hopes alive by defeating Bangladesh at Old Trafford. As a result, everything came down to the must-win encounter against Australia.Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 170/4. However, Australia chased down the target with five balls to spare, knocking Harmanpreet Kaur's side out of the tournament. Consequently, India finished third in the Group A T20 World Cup standings and missed out on a place in the knockout stage.Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur Releases First Statement After India's T20 World Cup ExitAmol Muzumdar Leaves Captaincy Decision To BCCI SelectorsFollowing India's exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, Amol Muzumdar was asked about Harmanpreet Kaur's future as captain. However, the head coach avoided making any definitive comments and made it clear that the decision rests with the selectors.Reporter: "Do you expect Harmanpreet Kaur to remain captain?"Amol Muzumdar: "My short and sweet answer would be yes. It's up to the selectors."It is important to note that his response indicated support for Harmanpreet, although he stopped short of confirming whether she would continue as India's T20I captain.Harmanpreet Kaur's Record As India's T20I CaptainIt is worth noting that the 2026 edition was Harmanpreet Kaur's sixth Women's T20 World Cup as India's captain. During her tenure, India have reached the final only once, finishing runners-up in the 2020 edition after losing to Australia.Who Could Replace Harmanpreet As India's T20I Captain?Harmanpreet, now 37, has been one of the pillars of Indian women's cricket for over a decade. While she has shown no signs of retirement, the selectors could consider a leadership change with an eye on the future if they decide to move in a new direction.Notably, Smriti Mandhana appears to be the frontrunner if India decide to appoint a new T20I captain. The stylish left-handed opener has served as India's vice-captain for several years and has worked closely with Harmanpreet during multiple ICC tournaments. Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues is another strong contender in India's long-term leadership plans. It is also worth noting that Shafali Verma could also be the most exciting long-term captaincy prospect among the current Indian players.Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Debut In England Ruled Out By Indian Camp
