Smriti Mandhana reportedly identified as India's next captain [Source: AFP]Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as Team India captain across all formats. The senior cricketer confirmed the same just a few days after clinching the Asian Games 2026 gold medal for the Indian Women’s team. It now appears that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already started identifying Kaur’s replacement, considering the ‘Women in Blue’ are scheduled to take on Zimbabwe in three T20Is and three ODI matches in Raipur and Vadodara this month.Smriti Mandhana in line to replace Harmanpreet Kaur as captainAs reported by Cricbuzz, prolific Indian opener Smriti Mandhana is in line to become the next captain of the Indian Women’s cricket team. The 30-year-old has already served as Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy in the past few years, and has sporadically led Team India whenever the regular skipper was unavailable for action. ALSO READRecords Harmanpreet Kaur Created As India Captain That No Other Player CouldThe report also stated that the BCCI is expected to confirm Mandhana as India’s new captain during their next selectors meeting for picking the squad for the upcoming home white-ball series against Zimbabwe. The board and the Indian selection committee will likely aim to build the Indian team around Smriti Mandhana for the next World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.What is Smriti Mandhana record as India captain?Harmanpreet Kaur served as India Women’s captain since the year 2012. Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana served as her deputy in the last few years, ever since all-time great Mithali Raj announced her retirement from the game back in 2022.Between the years 2024 and 2025, Mandhana led the Indian cricket team in four ODI matches, yielding all four wins in the process with a perfect success rate of 100 percent. In T20Is, the legendary left-handed opening batter has led Team India in 18 games whenever Harmanpreet was unavailable. Under her leadership, the Indian team secured 11 wins and six defeats from 17 completed fixtures with a healthy success percentage of 61.11.One of the most senior members of the Indian side across all formats, Mandhana’s experience, consistency and familiarity with the leadership group make her the natural choice to usher in a new era for Indian women’s cricket.ALSO READSourav Ganguly Becomes Delhi Capitals Head Coach Before IPL 2027
