Leg and Off: Should Smriti Mandhana replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India’s T20I captain?
India Women were eliminated from the 2024 T20 World Cup in the group stage, despite being viewed as strong contenders for the title. However, their performance did not live up to those expectations.
In their opening match against New Zealand, India lost the toss and watched as New Zealand set a target of 161 runs. While the Indian bowlers did reasonably well, they received little support from the fielders. In reply, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team struggled to form effective partnerships and collapsed for just 102 runs, losing by 58 runs - a disappointing start to their campaign.
India regrouped and secured convincing victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their next matches, boosting their chances of progressing to the next round. However, they faced the defending champions, Australia, in a must-win match in the final group stage.
The Indian bowlers did well to restrict Australia to 151 runs, but the batting order faltered again. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 54 runs, but the team fell short by nine runs. In the 17th over, they managed just one run, and Harmanpreet's decision to take a single off the first ball of the last over, knowing she lacked support, raised questions about her judgment.
With India’s campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup now concluded, important decisions lie ahead. The next T20 World Cup is scheduled for 2026 in England, and before then, management must address critical issues, including the captaincy. Should Harmanpreet Kaur continue to lead the team, or is it time for the Women in Blue to look to Smriti Mandhana to shape their future?
Harmanpreet Kaur has captained the most matches in Women's T20I cricket
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur holds the record for the most matches captained in T20I cricket. She has led India in 122 games, achieving 70 victories, and 46 losses, with one match resulting in a tie and five games ending with no results.
Harmanpreet first took on the captaincy during the 2012 Women’s Asia Cup final when regular captain Mithali Raj and vice-captain Jhulan Goswami were unavailable due to injuries. She successfully guided India to an 18-run victory, defending a target of 81 runs.
Harmanpreet also captained India in the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, where the team was defeated by England in the semi-finals by eight wickets. Under her leadership, India delivered a strong performance in the 2020 edition, reaching the final but ultimately losing to Australia by 85 runs.
In the 2022 tournament, Australia again eliminated the Indian women’s team in the semi-finals, although Harmanpreet made a notable contribution with a brilliant 52 runs off 34 balls.
Over the years, Harmanpreet Kaur has successfully led India in major tournaments. While the team has yet to secure a World Cup title, her contributions to their growth are commendable.
Harmanpreet’s experience in managing the pressures of international cricket is invaluable, particularly for younger players still establishing their roles. Under her guidance, India has performed well in bilateral series. Given her extensive experience and strong performance at 35 years old, the Indian management may consider retaining her captaincy for another two years.
Harmanpreet’s aggressive batting style and remarkable ability to excel in high-pressure situations have made her a key player on the team. She fought tenaciously against Australia in their last group-stage match, demonstrating her capacity to perform under pressure.
Given her consistent contributions and leadership skills, Harmanpreet Kaur remains the team’s top performer and deserves to continue leading in the T20 format.
Smriti Mandhana should be appointed as captain considering the team's prospects
While Harmanpreet Kaur has undoubtedly made significant contributions to Team India, her results as captain in 2024 have been less than stellar. The Women in Blue were unable to defend their Asia Cup title, losing to Sri Lanka in the final. They also failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. This may prompt management to consider a new skipper, with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana being the leading candidate.
With the next Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026, appointing Mandhana as captain would provide her with invaluable experience ahead of the tournament, while Harmanpreet’s presence could offer essential support.
The 28-year-old has already led India in 14 T20Is, achieving eight wins, five losses, and one no-result. She also guided the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory in the 2024 Women’s Premier League, showcasing her leadership abilities.
As the Indian team seeks to establish a strong foundation for the future, appointing Mandhana as T20 captain could be a significant step forward. Her grasp of modern cricket could introduce a refreshing perspective to the team.
Handing the captaincy to Mandhana could be key to the long-term success and growth of the Indian women’s cricket team. As the sport continues to change, strong leadership will be essential for facing upcoming challenges and taking advantage of new opportunities.
Mandhana’s leadership has the potential to usher in an exciting new era for Indian women’s cricket, full of promise and possibilities.