India’s women’s cricket team has faced a setback after an early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup, falling short in the group stages with losses to New Zealand and Australia. Despite entering the tournament as one of the stronger sides, the team’s inability to progress to the semifinals has raised concerns about leadership within the squad. India’s campaign started with a defeat against the Kiwis, placing Harmanpreet Kaur’s team under immense pressure throughout the group stage.
In the aftermath of this disappointing performance, reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may be considering a change in captaincy. According to The Indian Express, BCCI officials and team management, led by head coach Amol Mazumdar, are scheduled to meet to discuss the future direction of the women’s team. A source from the BCCI hinted at a possible shift in leadership, stating, “The BCCI will certainly discuss whether to have a new captain on board going ahead.”
The meeting, which is set to take place before India’s upcoming series against New Zealand on October 24, may determine whether Harmanpreet will continue in her role for the immediate future or if a leadership change is imminent.
Time for Transition?
Harmanpreet Kaur has been at the helm of the Indian women’s team since 2016, overseeing numerous successful campaigns, including several final appearances in global tournaments. Despite her individual contributions during the World Cup, including solid performances with the bat, the BCCI seems to be contemplating a reset in leadership, particularly with the 2025 home ODI World Cup looming on the horizon.
The source further explained, “Harmanpreet will continue to be an important member of the team, but the BCCI feels it’s time for a transition.”
Smriti Mandhana Tipped as Successor
The most likely candidate to take over the captaincy is current vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana, who has led India in Harmanpreet’s absence in the past, has additional leadership experience from her time captaining the Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2024.
A leadership change could potentially help India address its struggles in crucial knockout matches, an area where the team has shown improvement across formats in recent years but has yet to clear the final hurdles. As the team looks ahead to future competitions, a fresh captaincy may provide the spark needed to overcome these challenges.
