Former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy has suggested that Harmanpreet Kaur should relinquish her captaincy duties, stating that the move is long overdue. Her comments come a day after India’s historic triumph at the Women’s ODI World Cup. Rangaswamy emphasized that while Harmanpreet remains one of the finest batters and fielders in the team, she would perform even better without the extra pressure of leading the side.
According to Rangaswamy, Harmanpreet’s tactical decisions can sometimes be inconsistent, and freeing her from the responsibility of captaincy would help her focus purely on her game. She believes the change should be made with the team’s long-term future in mind, particularly with the next ODI World Cup in 2029 and the T20 World Cup scheduled in the UK next year.
Smriti Mandhana Seen as Natural Successor
Rangaswamy identified star opener Smriti Mandhana, aged 29, as the ideal choice to take over the captaincy across formats. She said that Harmanpreet still has three to four years of top-level cricket left and can make significant contributions as a senior batter if not burdened with leadership. Citing Rohit Sharma’s recent case—where selectors decided to move on from him despite his Champions Trophy win earlier this year—Rangaswamy stressed that leadership transitions should always prioritize the team’s long-term growth.
Concerns Over Bowling Despite World Cup Win
While expressing pride over India’s title victory on home soil, Rangaswamy also pointed out areas that need improvement. She mentioned that although the batting lineup looks settled and strong, bowling remains a concern, and fielding standards could improve further. She noted that Australia’s defeat in the semifinals was largely due to their weaker bowling attack, whereas India’s batters carried the team to success.
Historic Win Expected to Inspire Future Generations
Rangaswamy predicted that the World Cup triumph will have a transformative impact on women’s cricket in India. She believes the victory will inspire countless young girls to take up the sport and that its full effect will be visible over the next decade. She also praised outgoing chief selector Neetu David and her team for assembling a championship-winning squad.
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