India’s Next Step Should Be Smriti Mandhana’s Captaincy

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Trisha Ghosal, Cardiff

“Yes, I am ready.”

With those four words in her recent interview to Times of India , Smriti Mandhana did not demand the captaincy. She simply confirmed what Indian cricket has been preparing for over a considerable period. The question is no longer whether she is ready, but whether the time has come for India to look ahead.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s tenure has had its moments, most notably India’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025. The recent victory in the one-off Test at Lord’s was another significant achievement. However, leadership cannot be judged on isolated highs alone. It must be assessed over an entire cycle.

Viewed through that lens, India’s record leaves room for serious reflection. The team crashed out in the group stage of two successive Women’s T20 World Cups, a worrying trend in the format that dominates the international calendar. India also failed to win the Asia Cup in 2018 and again in 2024 despite possessing the deepest talent pool, and the greatest financial backing in Asian women’s cricket. While no team is guaranteed trophies, India should consistently be setting the benchmark in the region.

The Lord’s triumph deserves celebration, but it should not become a reason to postpone difficult conversations. One historic Test victory cannot permanently alter the assessment of a leadership group that has struggled to consistently deliver in major T20 tournaments.

Around the world, the strongest teams no longer wait for results to deteriorate before planning for the future. Australia transitioned seamlessly after Alyssa Healy’s tenure, while England groomed Nat Sciver-Brunt before handing her the captaincy. Leadership succession has become a mark of professionalism rather than a reaction to failure.

India already has its successor.

Mandhana has been Harmanpreet’s vice-captain since 2016 and has led the national side on several occasions whenever the regular captain was unavailable or unable to take the field after batting. She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League, leading the franchise to two titles and gaining valuable experience of managing high-pressure situations and elite players. More importantly, she has evolved into one of the world’s most dependable batters, commands immense respect within the dressing room and understands the demands of international leadership.

Changing captains is not about erasing the past. It is about preparing for the future. Smriti Mandhana has spent learning the role, and Indian women’s cricket has reached a stage where fresh ideas and a new voice could help unlock the team’s next phase of success. The indicators have been there for some time. Now, the decision should follow.

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