“Smriti Mandhana Should Lead India Next” – Shantha Rangaswamy Backs Captaincy Change

Shantha Rangaswamy believes Harmanpreet Kaur should step down as India’s captain and let Smriti Mandhana lead the team to help both players perform better.

Former India skipper Shantha Rangaswamy has suggested that Harmanpreet Kaur should step down as captain and hand over the leadership to Smriti Mandhana. India recently won their first-ever Women’s World Cup title under Harmanpreet’s leadership.

Rangaswamy, the country’s first women’s team captain, believes Harmanpreet can contribute more as a specialist batter without the added responsibility of captaincy. She added that while the move may be tough to implement after a major success, it could prove vital for India’s long-term growth and balance in women’s cricket.

“It’s overdue. Harman as a batter and fielder is brilliant. But tactically, she can fumble at times. I feel she can contribute more if she’s without the burden of captaincy. When it comes after a success like this (World Cup win), it won’t be taken well, but in the interest of Indian cricket and in Harman’s own interest, I think she can contribute much more as a batter without the burden of captaincy,” said Rangaswamy, as quoted by India Today.

“Smriti should be made captain across formats. You need to plan for future World Cups. Winning the World Cup at home is massive, but now is the time to build on it, strengthen the core and prepare for the next generation of challenges,” she added.

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Notably, vice-captain Mandhana finished as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 434 runs in nine innings at an average of 54.25. India will now tour Australia for three T20Is, three ODIs, and a one-off Test, while several players are set to feature in the Women’s Premier League before the series.