BCCI president Mithun Manhas believes Smriti Mandhana will profit from Harmanpreet Kaur’s steerage while leading the Indian women’s cricket staff. Manhas believes that an experienced senior player can help a brand new captain navigate troublesome selections and handle the pressures of international cricket.
Mandhana has taken over as India’s all-format captain after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the position. The 30-year-old opener will start her first full-time assignment with a three-match T20I series in opposition to Zimbabwe in Raipur from October 16, adopted by three ODIs in Vadodara.
Harmanpreet Kaur Will Be an Asset for Smriti Mandhana, Says Mithun Manhas
In a dialog with Sportstar, Mithun Manhas defined that Indian cricket has benefited from retaining experienced players round to information new captains. He stated management transitions change into easier when a senior determine remains obtainable to share expertise and assist the brand new leader make important selections.
“I’ve always believed that the baton must be handed on when you could have any individual senior round to information them,” Manhas stated. “As a result of captaincy is just not simple, irrespective of how experienced you’re.”
“This transformation has helped Indian cricket in a big approach,” he stated.
“There will likely be situations when it’s a must to make selections and you’re confused. So, I feel Harmanpreet Kaur will likely be an asset for Smriti,” he added.
T20 World Cup Struggles Strengthen Case for Smriti Mandhana’s Appointment
Harmanpreet Kaur led India to the 2025 ODI World Cup triumph. Nonetheless, India’s struggles within the Ladies’s T20 World Cup have remained a concern. The staff has yet to win the tournament and failed to succeed in the semi-finals within the last two editions, regardless of the emergence of the Ladies’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023.
Smriti Mandhana brings considerable expertise to the position. She has been one of India’s leading batters since making her international debut in 2013 and served as the national staff’s vice-captain for a number of years. The southpaw has additionally captained India in 18 T20Is and 4 ODIs.
Her success in franchise cricket has strengthened her management credentials. Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 2 WPL titles in 4 years, giving her additional expertise in managing a staff and making selections under stress.
Harmanpreet Kaur Ends Historic Captaincy Tenure
Harmanpreet Kaur is one of India’s most completed leaders. She received 126 of the 211 matches during which she captained the national staff, ending her tenure with a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Video games. India successfully defended the title under her management.
Her largest achievement got here in 2025, when she guided India to their maiden ODI World Cup title on house soil. India defeated South Africa within the ultimate. Harmanpreet Kaur turned solely the third Indian captain after Kapil Dev and M.S. Dhoni to win the lads’s or women’s 50-over World Cup.
Harmanpreet began captaining India in T20Is in 2016 and took charge of the Check and ODI groups in 2022 after Mithali Raj retired. During her tenure, India additionally reached the 2020 Ladies’s T20 World Cup ultimate and received silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Video games.
She additionally set a significant report within the shortest format, becoming the primary captain in international cricket, male or feminine, to steer a staff in additional than 150 T20Is. The center-order batter completed her tenure having captained India in 155 T20Is, 51 ODIs and five Assessments.
Supply: cricketaddictor.com
