India’s World Cup-winning skipper and star batter, Harmanpreet Kaur, has decided to relinquish the captaincy of the national team in all formats. Her announcement on Tuesday brings an end to a successful leadership era. Reflecting on her decision, Harmanpreet said it was not an easy step, given the years of dedication, cherished memories, and personal sacrifices associated with the role.
“This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions and sacrifices,” Harmanpreet wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram.
“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,” she wrote.
Harmanpreet ends captaincy stint, remains committed to Indian cricket
Harmanpreet acknowledged that leadership often meant taking difficult calls that were sometimes misunderstood, adding that those decisions frequently demanded personal sacrifices.
“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,” she added.
“I feel I have done my duty. I gave this team everything I had,” she wrote.
Harmanpreet clarified that stepping down as captain does not signal the end of her international career. She affirmed that she will continue to don the Indian jersey and contribute to the team as a player.
“Captaincy ends, the journey continues,” Harmanpreet said, signalling her intention to remain part of the team and contribute on the field in the next phase of her career. I am leaving the captaincy with a heart full of emotions, but also with peace,” she said.
“Because I genuinely believe my team is in a good place,” Harmanpreet said.