Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women's cricket team, with the BCCI confirming her as the full-time white-ball leader. The 30-year-old succeeds Harmanpreet Kaur, who stepped down from captaincy but remains available to play for India.
The appointment places one of India's most experienced batters at the head of the ODI and T20I sides. Mandhana has represented India since 2013 and had already served as vice-captain and as a stand-in leader before receiving the permanent role.
BCCI confirms Smriti Mandhana as white-ball captain
The BCCI announced the appointment on 6 October 2026 and described Mandhana as a leading figure in the team's progress across formats. The board specifically confirmed that she will be India's full-time white-ball captain.
Mandhana said leading India is a special honour and acknowledged Harmanpreet's contribution to the team. BCCI president Mithun Manhas and honorary secretary Devajit Saikia backed her experience, temperament and ability to lead from the front.
Mandhana's previous India captaincy experience
Although this is her first appointment as permanent national captain, Mandhana is not new to the role. She had already led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs before the announcement.
Her franchise record also strengthened her case. Mandhana captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026, giving her experience of managing high-pressure campaigns and knockout matches.
Harmanpreet Kaur remains part of India Women's plans
The leadership change does not mark the end of Harmanpreet's international career. In her announcement, the World Cup-winning captain made clear that she intends to continue playing for India.
That continuity could help the transition. Mandhana inherits a successful team, while Harmanpreet's presence offers experience to a group that recently won the 2026 Asian Games gold and the Women's Asia Cup.
Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma named vice-captains
India have divided the deputy-leadership roles for the upcoming Zimbabwe series. Shafali Verma will be vice-captain in the T20Is, while Deepti Sharma will serve as ODI vice-captain.
The structure gives India format-specific support around Mandhana and brings two established internationals into the leadership group.
Zimbabwe series begins the new era
Mandhana's first assignment as full-time captain will be Zimbabwe Women's tour of India. The three T20Is will be played in Raipur on 16, 18 and 20 October, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara on 23, 25 and 28 October.
Harmanpreet is included in both squads. Richa Ghosh and G Kamalini are the T20I wicketkeepers, while Richa and Yastika Bhatia hold the wicketkeeping roles in the ODI squad.
India Women squads for the Zimbabwe series
T20I squad: Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma (vc), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.
ODI squad: Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (vc), Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.
What Mandhana's appointment means for India
The decision gives India a clear, experienced white-ball leader while retaining Harmanpreet as a senior player. Mandhana's immediate challenge will be to turn recent tournament success into sustained bilateral and global results.
Her appointment also completes the succession story that began when Harmanpreet Kaur ended her all-format captaincy tenure. The Zimbabwe series will offer the first indication of how India's new leadership group operates.
Key facts
- Smriti Mandhana is India's new full-time white-ball captain.
- She had previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs.
- Shafali Verma is T20I vice-captain; Deepti Sharma is ODI vice-captain.
- Harmanpreet Kaur remains available as a player and is in both Zimbabwe-series squads.
- The Zimbabwe tour begins with the first T20I in Raipur on 16 October 2026.
Captaincy details, squads and the Zimbabwe-series schedule were checked against official BCCI releases on 7 October 2026.