New Delhi, October 7 (Daily Kiran) : Harmanpreet Kaur, the former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, recently reflected on her decade-long leadership journey. Speaking in New Delhi, she highlighted how her role shaped her ability to handle both criticism and success.
Taking charge in 2012, Harmanpreet led India to victory in the 2025 ODI World Cup and a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. She emphasized that her captaincy taught her to embrace responsibility at every stage of the team’s journey.
“Criticism arises when people have expectations of us,” Harmanpreet explained. “It can be disheartening when the team fails to meet its own expectations, especially when supporters anticipate better performances. Captaincy has taught me to take responsibility, not just for criticism but for victories as well. Leadership means standing by your team through every experience and learning from it.”
Over the years, Harmanpreet has focused on enhancing women’s cricket in India. “It was never about personal accolades. I aimed to use my insights and experience to promote the sport and address gaps that needed filling. I’ve learned that you may not achieve everything you envisioned, as team sports often bring unexpected challenges.”
She acknowledged that leadership sometimes requires prioritizing the team’s interests over personal goals. “As a player, you have some freedom in decision-making, but as a captain, you often need to set aside your personal ambitions for the team’s benefit. While I haven’t compromised my performance, I’ve had to defer some of my individual targets.”
Harmanpreet also stressed the importance of fostering leadership qualities within the entire team, ensuring that responsibility does not rest solely on the captain. “I believe that leadership is an integral part of my identity, and every player representing the country should develop these qualities. I always aimed to instill leadership in every player, as it cultivates responsibility, accountability, and decisiveness.”
With Smriti Mandhana now at the helm, Harmanpreet expressed her excitement about supporting her long-time teammate. “As a player, I look forward to seeing someone else lead the team and create a positive environment. I’m thrilled that it’s Smriti, who has been alongside me for over a decade. Our shared experiences will be invaluable.”
She clarified that her decision to step down was not prompted by a specific loss or tournament but was part of her broader career assessment. “Winning the World Cup was a significant dream, and I’m grateful that it became a reality early in my captaincy. I feel deep satisfaction and gratitude for the journey, with no regrets. It wasn’t always easy, but it wasn’t as difficult as it may seem from the outside. I’m thankful for everything we achieved together.”
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