The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the verge of taking a crucial decision on Harmanpreet Kaur’s future as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team after the team suffered a first-round exit from the World Cup. Women’s T20 in United Arab Emirates.
For the first time in recent years, India failed to advance to the knockout stages of the ICC event. Harmanpreet, who has led India since 2016, now faces an uncertain future as captain, although her place in the team remains assured, according to a report in The Indian Express.
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BCCI to take decision on Harmanpreet Kaur soon
The BCCI is expected to meet the selection committee and head coach Amol Muzumdar to discuss Harmanpreet’s leadership and assess whether a change of guard is necessary.
The meeting is expected to take place ahead of selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on October 24. With the next 50-over World Cup scheduled to be hosted in India, the board may opt for a fresh face to lead the team as they look to rebuild for the future.
Harmanpreet’s tenure as captain has seen several failures on the world stage. Despite leading India to the last 16 in multiple ICC tournaments and even reaching the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup, the team has struggled to cross the finish line and secure an elusive title.
The last T20 World Cup campaign highlighted some familiar issues, with inconsistent batting and early setbacks proving too costly for the team.
India’s hopes in the ongoing T20 World Cup suffered a major blow early on, losing their opener to New Zealand by a wide margin, severely hampering their chances of progressing. Their campaign came to a definitive end when Australia eliminated them last Sunday despite a useful contribution from Harmanpreet herself. However, the team as a whole failed to deliver consistent results, achieving only two wins in four games.
A source within the Indian board revealed to The Indian Express that discussions over leadership changes have been ongoing, with many in the BCCI feeling that “it is high time for a new face to lead the team going forward.”
The same source emphasized that while Harmanpreet will remain an important player, the team can benefit from a new captain as it transitions to the next phase of development. There are also signs that some support staff may not see their contracts renewed following the World Cup disappointment.
Harmanpreet Kaur took over the captaincy in 2016 after India failed to reach the semi-finals of the home World Cup. Since then, he has been at the helm through both highs and lows, notably leading India to the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup.
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However, the inability to turn good tournaments into titles has remained a concern during his tenure. With the pressure mounting and the next 50-over World Cup approaching, the BCCI’s decision on captaincy will be pivotal in shaping the future of Indian women’s cricket.
India’s exit from the T20 World Cup will be remembered as a tournament to forget, despite extensive preparations that included early acclimatization camps. Now, the team and its leadership are under scrutiny as the BCCI weighs its options for the future. Regardless of whether Harmanpreet continues as captain or not, it is clear that Indian women’s cricket is at a crossroads, with an opportunity for renewal ahead of the home World Cup in 2025.