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No Harmanpreet, Smriti Mandhana; Mithali Raj Backs DC Star To Lead India After World Cup Debacle

Harmanpreet and Mandhana have been pillars of India's batting line-up (Source: @itskishankishor/X.com)Harmanpreet and Mandhana have been pillars of India's batting line-up (Source: @itskishankishor/X.com)

The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 turned out to be another disappointing campaign for Harmanpreet Kaur and company as they failed to qualify for the semis of the competition. Harmanpreet Kaur has led India in four T20 World Cups now but has failed to lift the trophy with the best performance coming in the 2020 edition when India reached the final in Australia.

India were one of the favourites to make it to the semis with their firepower in their arsenal, but they lost the first game to New Zealand and were always playing catch-up after that. Harmanpreet did well personally and took India close to a win against Australia, but India's tactics have been highly criticised and there are question marks on Harmanpreet's future as Indian captain.

BCCI is set to arrange a meeting to discuss the roadmap of women's cricket in India and amidst all the rumours, Mithali Raj has also opened up on Harmanpreet's future. In an exclusive interview with PTI, the former Indian skipper said that it is upto BCCI to decide who will lead India in future, but added that it they want to change the captain, they should do now, otherwise it would be too late.

"It's up to BCCI and the selectors to take a call but If they are looking to change this would be the ideal time because if you delay more then we have another World Cup on the horizon ( two years ) . If you are not doing now, then don't do it later. Then it is too close to the World Cup."

Mithali Names Jemimah Rodrigues As Long Term Option To Lead India

She stated that Smriti Mandhana is an option, but added that Jemimah Rodrigues could be a better long-term option. Mithali added that Jemimah has good energy on and off the field and speaks to everybody in the team and added that she is impressed by her performance in this tournament.

"Smriti is there of course and can be a choice to consider for the selectors (has been vice-captain for long) but I personally think someone like Jemimah, she's 24, she's young, she will serve you longer in the T20’s and she’s someone who I feel on the field gets that energy. She speaks to everybody. I was very impressed by her in this tournament. Despite playing those cameo roles, she never could convert her starts, but she is someone who really made an effort to build a momentum if there was no momentum and if there was a momentum she tried to carry that momentum."

Jemimah Rodrigues has been an important player for India and has the ability to mould her game according to the game situation. She plays for DC in WPL and is touted as the next Indian superstar, making her a good long-term captaincy option for India.