The 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has posed more pertinent questions than answers on the future of Indian women’s cricket. In terms of biggest one, whether Harmanpreet Kaur should lead or just focus on her batting. Proven match-winner Harmanpreet is one of the game’s premier batters, and she showed it again in the World Cup where she was a stand-out with 150 runs and must always be backed to win matches when they exist. Many others have questioned her leadership though. The extent to which her decisions, including under-bowling Radha Yadav in important matches, have been questioned. Perhaps it is time to free Harmanpreet from the burdens of captaincy and let her do what she does best just bat.
Though it leads to the bigger questions about who we have leading out. While Smriti Mandhana does prove to be an excellent red-ball leader and player, she has comparatively found it difficult when captaining in T20s. Her batting talents are impressive, but she has struggled to find her T20-other version of herself in high-pressure situations. Smriti should lead the team going forward in longer format (Test cricket), which is her kind of game to captain as a batter, and someone else can take over in shorter formats.
Jemimah Rodrigues: One of the possible options as captain Five years at the team, now she is ready to lead. Jemimah had a modest World Cup with the bat, as she got out after promising starts in 3 of her matches, but her prowess on the field cannot be disregarded. An energetic fielder, she could be instrumental in elevating India’s standards of fitness and fielding. India dropped quite a few catches in the World Cup and struggled with fielding too, but perhaps here is where Jemimah can guide the team.
Although Harmanpreet did well with the bat in the World Cup, her captaincy has been nothing short of disappointing. Results have not been good enough with her as captain for the past seven years. Fresh ideas and vision wouldn’t be a bad thing to take the team to the next level. Although Harmanpreet is still a key player, the change in leadership had been due for quite some time.
That change could come through Jemimah Rodrigues. She would be great as captain in white ball cricket and with her experience, energy and leadership potential she is a strong leading candidate too. Jemimah’s journey in the game has only just begun and with support of players like Harmanpreet and Smriti, can take India to great heights. Now is the time for new thought and new leadership, perhaps Jemimah can be that leader.