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Former India captain, Mithali Raj took a scathing attack at the Indian women’s cricket team after their group stage exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE. Mithali Raj, while speaking after India’s exit, attributed the national team’s underwhelming performance at the marquee tournament to the lack of growth across departments over the past few years.
While it was the first instance that the Women in Blue failed to qualify for the knockouts of an ICC event under Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, it has put serious questions around her future as the skipper. Raj also dropped a big statement around Harmanpreet’s future as the skipper of the side, who continue her title-less run in the world events at helm.
I would go for a young captain: Mithali Raj on Harmanpreet’s replacement as captain of India Women
Speaking to PTI from Dubai on the sidelines of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Mithali Raj spoke of the downfall of the Indian team and the lack of role clarity, especially in the batting department. When asked about India’s performance in the tournament, Mithali replied, “I feel that in the last two, three years, I've not really seen any growth in this team, in the sense like, I mean, beating the best side is what you always prepare for but it seems like we are saturated in the sense we are beating other teams and we are pretty happy in that.”
She was further questioned on India’s leadership role, pointing fingers towards Harmanpreet Kaur. To this, the former cricketer replied, “If the selectors decide to change, I would go for a young captain. This is the t ime [to change]; if you delay more then we have another [ODI] World Cup on the horizon [October 2025].”
However, she put her intentions clear of India going in for a younger skipper, with someone like Jemimah or Smriti Mandhana. “Smriti is there but I think someone like Jemimah, she's 24, she's young, she will serve you more. And [she] is someone who I feel on the field gets that energy. She speaks to everybody. I was very impressed by her in this tournament,” Mithali was quoted.
It is to be noted that it was Mithali Raj who handed over the captaincy to Harmanpreet Kaur, taking over the reigns in 2016. Since then, India Women have played four T20 World Cups, reaching in two semi-finals and one final and are yet to win the title.
