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New Delhi: It might be a tough decision following India’s historic Women’s ODI World Cup victory, but former captain Shantha Rangaswamy believes Harmanpreet Kaur should step down from the leadership, a change she feels is already overdue for the betterment of the team.
Rangaswamy feels that stepping down from the captaincy would help the 36-year-old Harmanpreet, who continues to be a key player for the team with her batting and exceptional fielding.
She added that any leadership transition should focus on the team’s long-term future, with the next ODI World Cup set for 2029 and the T20 World Cup scheduled in the UK next year.
According to Rangaswamy 29-year-old star opener Smriti Mandhana stands out as the natural candidate to take over the captaincy.
“It’s overdue. Because Harman as a batter and a fielder is brilliant. Yes. But tactically, she can fumble at times. I feel she can contribute more if she’s without the burden of captaincy.
“See, when it comes after a success like this (World Cup win), it will not 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. She still has three-four years of big-time cricket left. Not being captain would allow her to do that. Smriti should be made captain across formats. You need to plan for future World Cups also,” said Rangaswamy.
She pointed to Rohit Sharma’s situation as well, noting how selectors chose to look beyond him for the team’s future, despite his leading India to the Champions Trophy title earlier this year.
Rangaswamy expressed immense joy over the team’s home title win, but also emphasised the need to address a few vulnerable areas.
“In our days batting used to be the weaker link. Now batting has a settled look but bowling is a concern. Fielding too can be a lot better.
“Australia lost only because they did not have a good bowling attack. I would say Pakistan and Bangladesh had better bowling attacks. The batters did the job for us,” said Rangaswamy referring to seven-time champions Australia losing to India in the semifinals with the latter not being able to defend 338.
Rangaswamy predicted that while the 2017 final boosted the popularity of women’s cricket in India, Sunday’s triumph will inspire an even bigger surge of girls taking up the sport, “Ten years down the line, you would see the massive impact of this win. This will inspire millions to take up the sport.”
She also praised outgoing chief selector Neetu David and her team for picking a championship winning squad.
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