She made India fall in love with women's cricket - now her era as captain is over
Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain of the India women's cricket team, with Smriti Mandhana appointed as her successor across all formats. The transition reflects the BCCI's desire to prioritize younger leadership following recent performance reviews.
Why it matters
This leadership change marks a pivotal moment for Indian women's cricket, signaling a strategic shift in team management and the future direction of the sport in the region.
Image source, ICC via Getty Images Image caption, Harmanpreet Kaur is stepping down as the captain of the India women's cricket team
When Harmanpreet Kaur scored that unforgettable World Cup century against Australia in the 2017 semi-final, she not only changed the course of a match but the trajectory of women's cricket in India.
India went on to lose the final to England that year but women's cricket no longer remained a passing pursuit for the average Indian fan.
That dogged zeal to win she infused into the team helped them lift India's first women's World Cup trophy - the same feat that had eluded them in 2017 - in emphatic fashion eight years later.
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