The T20 World Cup experience has left Indian women’s cricket with more questions than answers. But of all the questions that we need answers for, the most important is whether we need Harmanpreet Kaur the batter or is she more important as a leader going forward? From the cup experience, it was evident that Harmanpreet is still the best batter in the team in pressure situations. She was the only one to stand up in the game against Australia, and there are few who come close. For India, it will be essential to have Harmanpreet the batter in her best shape for at least the next couple of years.
The same cannot be said, however, about her leadership. Her captaincy wasn’t up to the mark and under-bowling Radha Yadav in the Australia game was just one of many such decisions which hurt India. May be it is time to relieve her of the pressures of captaincy and get her to focus on her batting.
That’s what brings me to Smriti Mandhana. Is Smriti a natural choice for T20 captaincy? Red-ball, yes, where she has been stellar, but it isn’t the same with T20 cricket. In high-pressure situations, Smriti has been found wanting. I’d suggest making her captain in the red-ball format and investing in her in Test cricket.
In white-ball cricket, India would do well to look for a new leader. Jemimah Rodrigues is one name that comes to mind. She is athletic and keen, and also has the experience now of having been around for five years. She should be there for a while, and could benefit from the presence of Harman and Smriti as part of a leadership group. India need fresh ideas, and it is time to go to a new leader in white-ball cricket.
It is indeed true that Jemimah also had an underwhelming World Cup. Each time she came out to bat, she looked good. But each time, she threw her wicket away after a bright start. Having said that, she looks the part at international level and is also a livewire on the field, something India really need to focus on. Ground fielding and catching were two departments where India were found wanting. In both, Jemimah can lead from the front and bring in a new work culture.
Under Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, India turned a new leaf in matters of fitness and fielding and the results are now evident. The same could happen under Jemimah. England too paid the price for some poor fielding and catching against West Indies, and this is one area where India have to devote attention with immediate effect. As the best in the team, it should come naturally to Jemimah.
Some might ask why remove Harmanpreet as leader when she was indeed the best batter on view in the UAE. After all, it was she who top-scored for India with 150 runs. The fact is that it was Harman the batter who stood up, and not Harman the leader. She has been at the helm of affairs for seven years now, and the results haven’t been the best. While India have no replacement for her as a player, we do need fresh thinking at the top. To just say that this is a special group no longer works. The time for change is now.
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