Leadership debates have resurfaced in Indian women’s cricket after consecutive early exits from the T20 World Cup. Former captain Mithali Raj told PTI that the time is ripe for Smriti Mandhana to assume the ODI and Test captaincy, while Harmanpreet Kaur should be retained only for the T20 format. The comments came in the wake of India’s second‑straight failure to reach the semi‑finals, despite a historic ODI World Cup triumph last year.

Performance, Fitness and the Cost of Inconsistency

Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership was instrumental in the 2025 ODI World Cup win, yet her recent T20 World Cup outings have drawn criticism. Mithali emphasized that a single tournament should not dictate a captain’s fate, but she highlighted recurring fitness concerns: “In the last two‑three years, we’ve seen the physio on the ground almost every match she played. She missed several games, and a captain must be fit and available.”

Batting Form Under the Microscope

Beyond fitness, Mithali pointed out a pattern in Kaur’s batting during ICC events. “Across three World Cups, she often scores 15‑20 runs before finally reaching a fifty, taking three to four games to do so,” she noted. This inconsistency, coupled with the need to plan for the next ODI and T20 World Cup cycles, forces selectors to reassess her role.

Why Smriti Mandhana Is the Logical Successor

Mandhana, a seasoned opener with years of international experience, has long been on Mithali’s radar. “I thought Smriti would lead the ODI side two or three years ago. With her current experience, she deserves both the ODI and Test roles now,” Mithali said. Her calm demeanor and proven record in limited‑overs cricket make her a stabilising force for the longer formats, especially as the team eyes the 2029 World Cup.

Shafali Varma for the T20I Helm

When it comes to the shortest format, Mithali championed the rise of youth. Shafali Varma, who captained the U‑19 side to a World Cup title, “fits the T20I format perfectly,” Mithali argued. She also mentioned Jemima Rodrigues as an alternative, citing her WPL captaincy experience. “Whomever they pick, they must give them time to settle, just as we did,” Mithali added.

Overall, the former skipper’s roadmap stresses a balanced approach: an experienced leader for ODIs and Tests, a dynamic young player for T20Is, and a clear focus on fitness and form to sustain India’s competitive edge on the global stage.