📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bahnfrend
Sports
Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women’s Captain, Punjab Village Reflects on Her Early Cricket Days
✍️ timesofindia.indiatimes.com
🗓 06 Oct 2026, 08:17 PM
👁 8
Veteran batter Harmanpreet Kaur announced her resignation as captain of the Indian women's cricket team, prompting her native Punjab village to reminisce about her childhood games with local boys.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the prolific middle‑order batter who led India to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup, confirmed her decision to step down as captain of the Indian women's cricket team. In a brief statement released to the media, she said the move was driven by a desire to focus on her own game and to allow a new leader to emerge.
Kaur's tenure, which began in 2020, saw the side achieve historic victories and climb the ICC rankings. Her aggressive batting style and leadership on the field have made her a role model for aspiring cricketers across the country.
Following the announcement, residents of her native village in Punjab gathered at the local ground, recalling how a young girl used to join boys for informal cricket matches. The anecdote underscores the humble beginnings that shaped Kaur's passion for the sport and highlights the changing attitudes towards women in cricket in rural India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to name a successor, but officials praised Kaur's contributions and assured fans that the transition will be smooth. Meanwhile, Kaur indicated she will continue to represent India as a senior player and mentor younger teammates.
Kaur's tenure, which began in 2020, saw the side achieve historic victories and climb the ICC rankings. Her aggressive batting style and leadership on the field have made her a role model for aspiring cricketers across the country.
Following the announcement, residents of her native village in Punjab gathered at the local ground, recalling how a young girl used to join boys for informal cricket matches. The anecdote underscores the humble beginnings that shaped Kaur's passion for the sport and highlights the changing attitudes towards women in cricket in rural India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to name a successor, but officials praised Kaur's contributions and assured fans that the transition will be smooth. Meanwhile, Kaur indicated she will continue to represent India as a senior player and mentor younger teammates.