Anjum Chopra Slams Calls for Harmanpreet Kaur’s Removal from Captaincy

Anjum Chopra criticised repeated calls to replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India captain, saying such remarks surface after every World Cup, win or lose.

Former India cricketer Anjum Chopra has voiced her frustration over renewed calls to replace Harmanpreet Kaur as captain, despite India’s historic Women’s World Cup 2025 win. The reaction came after ex-skipper Shantha Rangaswamy suggested that India should consider new leadership and allow Harmanpreet to focus on her batting and fielding.

Anjum, however, found the timing inappropriate, stating that such discussions arise after every major tournament regardless of India’s result.

“After every World Cup, there’s one statement like this that comes out. Pick out the last four or five World Cups and you can see how many times these kinds of statements have been made. When India lose a tournament, they say Harman should be removed. When India win a tournament, they say Harman should be removed,” Anjum told NDTV.

“So, these kinds of statements are given every time. I seriously don’t want to comment on this right now as it would spoil the moment of India’s victory,” she added.

Anjum Recalls First Impression of Harmanpreet’s Talent

Notably, Harmanpreet played a massive role with 260 runs in eight matches, including a crucial 89 in the semi-final against Australia. Anjum Chopra then praised Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, saying she recognised her as a match-winner from the very start of her career.

“When I saw her on the first day she played domestic cricket with us. Later, we were all in an Indian camp, playing a Challenger Trophy tournament in Mumbai in 2007-08. I immediately noticed how talented she was-an under-19 player who could hit the ball a long way. I was certain that she was special,” Anjum said.

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“I played with her in domestic cricket before she joined the Indian team. The kind of skill Harman showcased in those few outings impressed me greatly. From Day 1 until today, not even for a moment have I ever thought she is not a match-winner. That’s why I have always been vocal over the years that Harman should be our captain,” she concluded.