BCCI to discuss Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy future with selection committee and head coach soon - Reports
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to stage showdown talks regarding Harmanpreet Kaur's future as captain following a forgettable campaign at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Women in Blue failed to qualify for the semi-finals after losing to New Zealand and Australia in the group stage.
Harmanpreet's tenure as skipper has seen India qualify for the knockout stages of ICC events regularly. The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup was meant to be the next step after the team's development through BCCI's initiatives, including the Women's Premier League (WPL). However, the team played some timid and ordinary cricket to be eliminated in the early stages.
According to a report by the Indian Express, the BCCI is keen to discuss Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy with the selection committee and head coach Amol Muzumdar before the squad for the New Zealand ODIs is picked. The three-match ODI series at home, beginning from October 25 onwards, serves as the beginning of the road toward the 2025 ODI World Cup.
“The BCCI will certainly discuss whether to have a new captain on board going ahead. The Indian board has provided everything which the team wanted and we feel it’s high time a new face leads the team going ahead. Harmanpreet will continue to be an important member of the team but the BCCI feels it’s time for transition,” a source in the Indian board told the Indian Express.
The report mentions that Harmanpreet's presence in the squad as a player is safe. She is still viewed as the backbone of the batting unit in the middle order and her experience makes her a valuable asset to the squad.
"If the selectors decide to change, I would go for a young captain" - Mithali Raj suggests moving on from Harmanpreet Kaur as captain
Former India skipper Mithali Raj also feels Harmanpreet Kaur's stint as captain should end after the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup campaign.
"If the selectors decide to change, I would go for a young captain. This is the time [to change]; if you delay more then we have another [ODI] World Cup on the horizon [October 2025]. If you are not doing it now, then don't do it later. Then it is too close to the World Cup," Mithali Raj told PTI recently.
Mithali Raj named Jemimah Rodrigues the ideal candidate to take over from Harmanpreet Kaur as captain.