Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, with the BCCI confirming she will serve as full-time white-ball leader.
Mandhana has been a central figure in the side since her international debut in 2013. She has opened the batting across formats, scored heavily in both ODIs and T20Is, and previously stood in as captain for 18 T20Is and four ODIs. The appointment formalises that leadership role on a permanent basis for white-ball cricket.
Her recent domestic and franchise record strengthened the case. She captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles in both 2024 and 2026, adding proven tournament success to her international experience. BCCI officials cited that combination of longevity and leadership as the basis for the decision.
In a statement, Mandhana called the role a special honour and thanked the board, selectors, and teammates for their trust. She also acknowledged Harmanpreet Kaur’s contribution as captain, noting the commitment she had shown over several years. Mandhana said she understood the responsibility and looked forward to working with the squad to move Indian cricket forward.
BCCI President Mithun Manhas congratulated her and said the board had full confidence in her experience and ability to lead from the front. Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia highlighted her growth within the team, her understanding of what it means to represent India, and her success with RCB as further evidence of her leadership qualities. Both officials wished her and the side well for the period ahead.
The change comes as the team looks to build on recent progress in international cricket. Mandhana now assumes the captaincy with a clear brief to guide the white-ball sides while drawing on more than a decade of experience at the highest level.
