Mithali Raj Calls for Harmanpreet Kaur’s Removal as India’s T20 Captain
India’s disappointing exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup has sparked calls for a change in leadership, with former captain Mithali Raj advocating for a younger skipper. Raj believes that the time is ripe for a transition, as India has failed to progress under Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy.
Raj suggests that Jemimah Rodrigues, who has impressed with her energy and leadership qualities, would be a suitable replacement. She highlights Rodrigues’ ability to build momentum and connect with her teammates.
Raj attributes India’s poor performance to their inability to adapt quickly to the slow wickets in South Africa. She contrasts this with the adaptability shown by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who scored a crucial half-century against India.
Beyond the captaincy issue, Raj expresses concern about the team’s lack of growth in recent years. She believes that India has become complacent in beating lower-ranked teams and has failed to challenge themselves against top sides like Australia.
Raj also questions the team management’s tactics, particularly their decision not to give opportunities to fringe players in the lead-up to the World Cup. She argues that this lack of depth has hindered India’s ability to compete at the highest level.
Furthermore, Raj criticizes the fitness levels of some players, which she believes contributed to dropped catches. She emphasizes the need for a consistent fitness benchmark throughout the year, rather than relying on short-term camps.
