NEW DELHI: India`s cricket board on Tuesday named Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the women`s team after Harmanpreet Kaur resigned from the job earlier in the day.

The 37-year-old Kaur, who recently led India to an Asian Games gold medal in Japan, had captained the team to their first women`s global title at last year`s ODI World Cup.

Mandhana, 30, has been the backbone of India`s batting in recent years and played a key part in the Asian Games victory, including a stellar 45-ball 79 in the final against Sri Lanka.

`To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour,` Mandhana said in a statement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). `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.

Earlier Kaur stepped down from the role through a social media post on Tuesday morning.

`This is not an easy decision, Kaur wrote. `It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life,` she said.

`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.

However, Kaur indicated she would continue to play.-AFP