3 players who can replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India women's captain

India women have not won a single ICC title under Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy.

Harmanpreet Kaur is hailed as one of India’s best-ever women’s cricketers. The veteran batter has produced many match-winning and crucial knocks for her side, including in ICC events. However, she has failed to deliver an ICC title for India despite leading the side in multiple events.

Since her debut, Harmanpreet has been a significant figure in the Indian women’s cricket team and one of the torchbearers of the revolution of women’s cricket in India.

Harmanpreet made her WODI and WT20I debuts in 2009. In 2014, Harmanpreet played her maiden test match against England. She got the full-time captaincy in the shortest format in 2016 and in WODIs in 2022.

While Harmanpreet Kaur is a must-have batter in the side, her position as captain of the side has now become untenable as India suffered another heart-breaking exit from an ICC event. India women failed to make it to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in UAE.

The Women in Blue suffered crushing defeats at the hands of New Zealand and Australia, which resulted in their ouster before the knockouts. Kaur is likely to face the axe as the India women’s captain, at least in the WT20Is.

On that note, let’s take a look at three candidates who can replace Harmanpreet Kaur as Indian women’s captain.

Three players who can replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India women’s captain

1. Smriti Mandhana

Star cricketer Smriti Mandhana, who has been Kaur’s deputy, is the front-runner to become the next captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. Mandhana is also the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

Under her, the Bengaluru-based franchise won the WPL 2024. During WPL 2024, Mandhana was seen as a calm figure while leading RCBW and she was spot-on with her tactical decisions. The stylish opener has also played a crucial role with the bat for the Indian side over the years.

2. Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah Rodrigues is a rising star in Indian cricket and has become a regular member of the Women in Blue.

The talented cricketer can become the next Indian women’s captain. As a youngster, she can bring a fresh approach, which might help the women’s side eventually win an ICC title soon.

3. Shafali Verma

Another of the rising sensations in Indian women’s cricket is Shafali Verma, who is known for her aggressive brand of cricket. Shafali has been a perfect fit for the national side as she provided much-needed positivity and assertiveness at the top of the order.

Shafali captained India to the title in the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup in 2023. The opener can become the next Indian captain and have a good time at it, given her huge success as a leader at such a young age on a global stage.

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