IND -W vs ZIM-W: Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur's Handshake Snub Sparks Rift Rumours (WATCH)

A viral video of a missed handshake between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur after India's 3-0 ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe has sparked rift rumours. Fans are debating their relationship following the captaincy change, but neither player has commented publicly.

The rumours of a rift between India women’s captain Smriti Mandhana and former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur have once again surfaced following the team’s eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe at Kottambi Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday, October 28.

The Women in Blue completed a3-0 ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe, after 3-0 T20I whitewash. With a 132-run target, the hosts chased it down in 17 overs, with opener Pratika Rawal (59) and Shafali Verma (51) sharing an unbeaten 74-run partnership for the third wicket to complete the series sweep in style.

However, Vaishnavi Sharma starred with a sensational maiden five-wicket haul, registering figures of 5/39 at an economy rate of 3.9 in her spell of 10 overs to bundle out Zimbabwe for a paltry 131 in 39.5 overs.

Harmanpreet and Smriti’s Handshake Snub Goes Viral

As India Women whitewashed Zimbabwe in the three-match ODI series, a viral clip showing a brief, awkward exchange during the post-match celebrations reignited chatter surrounding team dynamics following the recent leadership transition.

In a video that went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), skipper Smriti Mandhana was seen shaking hands with her teammates following yet another dominant performance against New Zealand in Vadodara.

However, when it came to former captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana appeared to pass by without a direct handshake and quickly moved along the line to greet the next player. Harmanpreet appeared to have missed the customary handshake with Mandhana as the Indian captain looked in the opposite direction while her senior teammate approached.

No handshake between Harman and Smriti ❌ 😳 https://t.co/Xgq79pnUbq

— RCB Xtra (@Rcb_Xtra) October 29, 2026

Smriti Mandhana, who had a forgettable outing in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, scoring just 32 runs at an average of 16 in two innings, took over the captaincy mantle from Harmanpreet Kaur, who stepped down from her leadership roles after leading the Women in Blue to a successful Asian Games gold medal defence in Japan.

A similar missed handshake between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur was also noticed during the third T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on October 20, when India completed a 3-0 series sweep.

‘Everything Okay?': Fans Question Smriti-Harmanpreet Equation

The handshake snub between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur has sparked debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts questioning whether all is well between the two Indian cricketers.

Taking to their X handles, many fans interpreted the brief interaction as evidence of a rift, while others urged people not to read too much into the moment, suggesting the missed handshake may not have been intentional. Some users also linked the speculation to Harmanpreet’s recent exit from the captaincy, debating whether the leadership transition had affected the duo’s relationship.

Another section of fans drew comparisons with former India captain MS Dhoni’s transition to Virat Kohli, arguing that leadership changes should be handled with mutual respect,

Smriti is non controversial and comes across as a good person. Same with Mithali. But Harmanpreet has a problem with both. Also, her behavior, antics, and her fake certificate scandal, telling English cricketers that Punjabi is India's National Language... Says a lot about her.

— Prakash (@Prakash1049) October 29, 2026

Smriti is non controversial and comes across as a good person. Same with Mithali. But Harmanpreet has a problem with both. Also, her behavior, antics, and her fake certificate scandal, telling English cricketers that Punjabi is India's National Language... Says a lot about her.

— Prakash (@Prakash1049) October 29, 2026

Clear rift.

— D.🇲🇰 (@dkhive102) October 29, 2026

The rift is crystal clear!

— Cricketing Polls 🤍 (@VSPatankar) October 29, 2026

@Rcb_Xtra They've probably shook hands before..🤷🏻

— Koutuk J. Vankar (@kOutuk_art) October 29, 2026

@Rcb_Xtra Don’t read too much into it. Don’t think it was intentional. Anyways, if Harman could drop mithali at that point, and she also had to relinquish captaincy at one point, Harman shouldn’t be feeling bitter about the same. Also, she is ageing, we needed a newer captain.

— Stavya Sharma (@stavya_sharma) October 29, 2026

@Rcb_Xtra Harman thinks she can stay captain for years to come. What about passing of torch. Every player has it's time , one have to let go.

— subhankar haldar (@subhankarhaldar) October 29, 2026

@__Ladyybird__ I even noticed this when Harman took a catch in Vyshnavi's bowling.

— Radhika Deshikachar (@sirfsapnadekho) October 29, 2026

@__Ladyybird__ This really does nothing to dispel the stereotypes of women in professional sport.

— QI CRICKET (@QICricket) October 29, 2026

Everything okay between Smriti and Harman? https://t.co/y1tgumvEoD

— Fan RCBians (@RcbianOfficial) October 29, 2026

Smriti before the start of her captaincy said “I will be Players captain” and this how a players captain treat their player ?

Put some respect to former captain because it only shows how small a person smriti is

— Payal (@cricupdatesss) October 29, 2026

everything is not okay https://t.co/vWRyEID5eN

— Mr. Saif Khan (@Mr_Saif__Khan) October 29, 2026

There was no handshake between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. Is everything alright??

https://t.co/lElZfqdj06

— cheekufied (@kohliiix18) October 29, 2026

@Rcb_Xtra What’s wrong with harmanpreet Kaur she want to be Indian captain forever and no one other deserves to lead team India 🇮🇳

— Capt.kamal (@Captkamal2) October 29, 2026

@Rcb_Xtra Don’t tell me it’s mere a coincidence and no rift in the camp. That’s why @msdhoni is regarded as finest cricketer who passed the bastion seamlessly to @imVkohli and served ICT. Yet to see similar transition

— Ravi Soni (@theravi_soni) October 29, 2026

However, neither Smriti Mandhana nor Harmanpreet Kaur has publicly addressed the speculation, and the viral clips do not confirm a rift between the two cricketers. It remains to be seen whether the BCCI or the team management steps in to clarify the situation, or if the two

India’s next assignment will be travel to South Africa for a multi-format series, which includes one-off Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is scheduled to take place across South Africa in December 2026.