India’s women’s cricket is at a crossroads. Once touted as the next big force in world cricket, the team now finds itself led by a captain whose leadership is as uninspired as her batting is inconsistent. Harmanpreet Kaur, the power-hitter who once carried the hopes of millions, now seems to weigh the team down—both as a leader and a batter.
Let’s begin with her captaincy, or the sheer lack of it. Leadership demands courage, proactive thinking, and composure—qualities Harmanpreet repeatedly fail to display. During crucial games, when the opposition dominates, her approach lacks vision. There’s no urgency to innovate, no attempt to pull her players together. Instead, visible frustration takes over, and her infamous temper erupts at the wrong people—most notably the younger members of the team.
Case in point: her post-match comments blaming a young Shreyanka Patil for conceding runs in a crunch over. A leader shields her players, takes responsibility, and fosters confidence. Harmanpreet threw her bowler under the bus. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Who can forget Deepti Sharma’s tears after being scolded on the field? Harmanpreet’s volatile leadership style doesn’t inspire—it intimidates, divides, and demoralises.
Now let’s talk about her performance as a batter. Harmanpreet Kaur has not been the same since her explosive 171* in the 2017 World Cup. While every player goes through lean patches, Harman’s struggle has turned into a prolonged slump. She starts slow, eats up deliveries, and leaves the team burdened if she fails to convert her innings. The result? She has gone from a match-winner to a liability in the middle order.
Even her reputation as a global T20 star has taken a hit. She finds no takers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL)—a stark indicator of her diminishing impact. In a format where Indian players are making waves worldwide, the captain’s absence is glaring. If overseas franchises don’t see her value, what message does that send about her current form?
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Moreover, her tactical nous has been repeatedly exposed. Against Australia, when Ashleigh Gardner struggled to bat, there was no slip in place—an inexplicable oversight. And then there are the selection blunders. The constant chopping and changing of the playing XI has left players unsettled. Harmanpreet isn’t a mere bystander here—she is involved in these baffling decisions alongside coach Amol Muzumdar.
The off-field embarrassment she caused in Bangladesh remains one of Indian cricket’s lowest moments. Smashing stumps, taunting the hosts, and demanding umpires pose with the trophy left the cricketing world shocked. A captain represents the nation—not just the team—and Harmanpreet’s conduct that day was unbecoming of an Indian leader.
Finally, the results speak for themselves. Under Harmanpreet’s captaincy, India has twice lost the Asia Cup—a tournament they once owned. Her tenure has been marked by regression, not progress, both in terms of tactics and team spirit.
It’s time to ask tough questions. Does Harmanpreet still deserve to lead India? Can a captain who neither inspires with her words nor performs with the bat be the face of Indian cricket? The selectors must act decisively. India cannot afford to let one individual’s complacency hold back a team brimming with talent.
Harmanpreet may still have a role as a batter, but as captain, her time is up. Indian women’s cricket needs a captain who can lead with vision, accountability, and grace. For now, Harmanpreet offers none of these.
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