Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Harmanpreet Kaur's last act as India captain was defending their Asian Games gold medal • BCCI
Harmanpreet Kaur, who led India to their first women's global title at last year's ODI World Cup, has stepped down as captain in all three international formats. She announced her decision via an Instagram post. Having given up the captaincy and left the team in a "good place", she has said she's now "ready to play for the love of the game again."
Harmanpreet, 37, led India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is. Her last act as captain was leading India to their second successive Asian Games gold medal,.in Nisshin last month.
The decision comes a day after Harmanpreet, India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar met BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in Guwahati to discuss the roadmap of the women's team going forward.
"This is not an easy decision," Harmanpreet wrote. "It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
"I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women's cricket -- my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions. There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first.
"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 - to make this TEAM better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves.
"I have seen it all.
"I have seen the lowest moments, the heartbreak, the criticism, the doubts and the days when nothing seemed to go our way. And I have also experienced the highest highs - the victories, the celebrations, the pride of representing our country, and the moments that made every sacrifice worth it.
"| leave the captaincy today with a heart full of emotions , but also with PEACE .
"Because I genuinely believe My team is in a good place. A team with talent, character, belief and a future that I am incredibly excited to watch and be a part of.
"I feel I have done my duty.
"I gave this team everything I had. I carried the responsibility with pride, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading Indian women's cricket.
"Now, it is time for me to turn the page.
"Captaincy may end today, but my love for Indian cricket never will.
"Thank you to every teammate, coach, support staff, management , BCCI , family members every single fan who stood by me through the highs and lows.
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