Former India Captain Advocates for Smriti Mandhana’s Leadership Opportunity

Mithali Raj, the former India captain, suggests that Smriti Mandhana could have been appointed ODI captain “two-three years ago,” though she acknowledges it remains a viable option. Raj notes Mandhana’s expressed interest in leading if approached.

“I personally believed Smriti should have led the ODI format two-three years back,” Raj stated to PTI. “However, even now, given her extensive experience in both one-day and Test cricket, she should be considered for captaincy, while T20 leadership might suit a younger player.”

“I also think Shafali Verma is a strong candidate. Her expertise in T20Is and her leadership of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2023 make her a viable option. Similarly, Jemie Rodrigues, who has led the Delhi Capitals in the WPL, could be considered. However, the key is to grant any selected captain sufficient time to adapt to the role,” Raj added.

“While we did fail to qualify for the semi-finals consecutively, that alone shouldn’t be the sole reason for a leadership change,” Raj explained. “There are several factors to evaluate when selecting a leader,” she said.

Raj highlighted Harmanpreet’s fitness as a critical concern.

“Fitness is paramount,” she said. “Harman has required frequent physiotherapy in recent years, missing several matches. A captain must be consistently available and fit, which Harman has not been,” Raj noted.

“Looking at Harman’s form across three World Cups—Dubai 2024, ODI 2025, and T20 2026—she often scores 15-20 runs but struggles to reach 50 in three to four games,” Raj observed.

“The third factor is whether she aligns with the team’s strategy for upcoming World Cups. The decision-maker must consider these aspects,” Raj stressed.

Raj also criticized the lack of a structured leadership development plan in Indian cricket.

“So far, Harman and Smriti have dominated leadership roles, but there’s no clear third option in their absence,” Raj said. “This gap is a significant issue.”

“For instance, Shafali Verma led India to the U-19 World Cup title but was never given a senior leadership role. Similarly, Niki Prasad, who led the U-19 team in 2025, should have been appointed India A skipper. This lack of long-term planning is concerning,” Raj added.