Smriti Mandhana takes over as India's cricket captain across all formats

Smriti Mandhana has been named captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all three formats, including One Day Internationals, T20s, and Test matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India made the official announcement on October 6, 2026. This change follows the resignation of former captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who previously led the team to its first ODI World Cup victory.

Reactions

BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar praised the appointment, noting that Mandhana's rise from local sports grounds in Sangli to international cricket is a moment of great pride for Maharashtra. Her father, Srinivas Mandhana, also expressed immense joy over the milestone, recalling her difficult journey from a street cricketer to a national player with tears of pride and stating his belief that she will lead the team to a T20 World Cup title.

Context

Leadership transitions in national cricket squads often follow changes in team direction or after a senior captain steps down. Appointing a single captain across all formats is a common strategy to maintain consistent leadership and tactical direction for a national team.