Just a day after India’s historic victory in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, a significant suggestion has emerged from former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy. She advocates for a leadership change, proposing that Harmanpreet Kaur step down from her captaincy duties for the greater good of Indian cricket.
Rangaswamy firmly believes that relieving the 36-year-old Harmanpreet of the captain’s burden would actually enhance her individual performance. Harmanpreet remains an invaluable player, excelling in both batting and fielding, and a focused role could unleash her full potential.
“It’s a move that’s well overdue,” Rangaswamy shared with PTI. “While Harman is undoubtedly brilliant with the bat and in the field, her tactical decisions can sometimes falter. I genuinely feel she could contribute far more if she wasn’t weighed down by the responsibilities of captaincy.”
The veteran cricketer stressed that this decision should be made with India’s long-term future in mind, especially with the next ODI World Cup set for 2029 and the T20 World Cup in the UK approaching next year.
Rangaswamy enthusiastically endorsed Smriti Mandhana, at 29 years old, as the rightful and natural successor to lead the Indian side across all formats.
“Look, when such a suggestion comes right after a major success like a World Cup win, it might not be well-received. However, for the benefit of Indian cricket and even Harman’s own career, I believe she can offer much more as a batter without the additional pressure of captaincy,” Rangaswamy stated.
She elaborated, “Harmanpreet still has a good three to four years of top-tier cricket left in her. Stepping down as captain would free her up to excel in that period. Smriti should be appointed captain across formats. We absolutely must plan proactively for upcoming World Cups.”
Drawing a parallel with the men’s team, Rangaswamy highlighted how selectors strategically moved on from Rohit Sharma after his success in guiding India to the Champions Trophy title earlier this year. This, she implied, underscores the importance of looking ahead and not merely resting on the laurels of recent glory.
Bowling Still a Concern: Areas India Must Address
While celebrating India’s triumphant run on home soil, Rangaswamy was quick to point out persistent vulnerabilities within the team, particularly concerning the bowling department.
“In our playing days, batting was considered the weaker link. Now, our batting lineup looks incredibly solid, but bowling remains a significant concern. Our fielding, too, has room for considerable improvement,” she observed.
“Australia, for instance, lost in the semifinal primarily because their bowling attack wasn’t strong enough. I would even argue that teams like Pakistan and Bangladesh possessed superior bowling units. Ultimately, it was our batters who single-handedly carried us through,” she added, referring to Australia’s inability to defend a score of 338 against India in the semifinals.
10-Fold Growth in the Game’s Popularity
Rangaswamy predicted that India’s historic World Cup victory would unleash an unprecedented surge in the popularity of women’s cricket across the nation.
“A decade from now, we will witness the immense and lasting impact of this win. It will inspire millions of young girls and women to embrace the sport,” she asserted.
She also lauded the efforts of the outgoing chief selector, Neetu David, and her entire panel for meticulously assembling a championship-winning team that performed exceptionally when it mattered most.