Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian women's cricket team, the BCCI announced on Tuesday (October 6), hours after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role earlier in the day.

Mandhana, who has been part of the Indian team since 2013, has previously led India in 22 white-ball matches. She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026, adding to her leadership credentials across formats.

She has led India in 18 T20Is, winning 11 and losing six, with one match ending without a result. She has a perfect record in ODIs, having won all four games she captained. In the WPL, she has led RCB in 35 matches, with 18 wins and 17 defeats.

Mandhana acknowledged Harmanpreet's contribution as captain while speaking about her new role. "I would also like to acknowledge Harmanpreet and the contribution she has made as captain over the years. She has led the team with great commitment and has been an important part of our journey," she said.

"To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour. Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply. I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and look forward to working with the team, learning along the way and giving my best to take Indian Cricket forward."

Niki Prasad receives maiden call-up T20I call-up

Meanwhile, Harmanpreet remains part of both squads for India's series against Zimbabwe. Shafali Verma has been named vice-captain for the three-match T20I series, while Deepti Sharma will serve as Mandhana's deputy in the ODIs.

The Women's Selection Committee has retained a strong core for the the series, with the three T20Is to be played in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara on October 23, 25 and 28.

The T20I squad includes a new-comer in the form of Niki Prasad. The 20-year-old right-handed batter from Karnataka, who bats in the middle order, has played seven innings for Delhi Capitals in the WPL, scoring 153 runs. She recently featured in the series against Australia A, scoring half-centuries in all three formats: 91 in the one-off three-day game, 76 in the third one-day match, along with an unbeaten 54 not out off 31 balls in the second T20 earlier in the series.

The T20I squad also sees the return of Anushka Sharma, who has represented India in the 20-over format in three matches - against South Africa earlier in the year. Anushka, who plays for Gujarat Giants in the WPL, has 177 runs in seven innings. She recently played the series against Australia A, scoring three successive fifties in the one-day matches.

Jemimah Rodrigues, who is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during The Hundred, continues her recovery. Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh Thakur, Radha Yadav and Bharti Fulmali, who featured in the squad in India's gold-medal-winning Asian Games campaign, miss out from the T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series. Niki, Anushka, Prema Rawat, Jintimani Kalita and Minnu Mani are the inclusions.

Renuka has been included for the 50-over games while Tejal Hasabnis, who scored two fifties in the one-day series against Australia A, returns to the ODI squad. The 29-year-old middle order batter, who has six ODI appearances, last featured for India in the ODI against Ireland in January 2025. Yastika Bhatia, Nandni Sharma and Sayali Satghare are the other additions to the ODI squad, while Uma Chetry, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur, who were part of India's squad for the ODI series against Australia at the start of the year, are the exclusions along with Rodrigues.

India's T20I squad: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma (VC), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.

India's ODI squad: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (VC), Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.