The BCCI wants Harmanpreet Kaur to guide Smriti Mandhana through her early days as India women’s cricket captain, taking inspiration from the successful leadership transition between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in the men’s team.
Mandhana has taken over the captaincy from Harmanpreet after the latter’s tenure, with her first assignment being India’s home series against Zimbabwe. Harmanpreet remains part of the squad, a development welcomed by BCCI president Mithun Manhas, who believes experienced players can play a crucial role in helping new captains settle into their responsibilities.
Speaking to Sportstar, Manhas said the captaincy baton should be passed on while a senior player remains available to offer guidance. He stressed that leadership can be challenging regardless of a captain’s experience.
BCCI Draws Inspiration From Dhoni and Kohli
Manhas pointed to the Indian men’s team as an example of how experienced leaders can support their successors. When Dhoni took over the captaincy, former skipper Sourav Ganguly was available to guide him.
Dhoni later supported Kohli after stepping down as captain, helping him with field placements, bowling changes and Decision Review System (DRS) calls. The transition allowed Kohli to take charge while continuing to benefit from Dhoni’s experience on the field.
The same approach is now being encouraged in the women’s team, with Harmanpreet expected to provide support as Mandhana adjusts to the demands of captaincy.
The leadership model has also continued in the men’s setup, where senior players have helped Shubman Gill settle into his role as captain.
‘Harmanpreet Will Be an Asset for Smriti’
Manhas believes Harmanpreet’s experience will be particularly valuable when Mandhana faces difficult decisions during matches.
“There will be situations when you have to make decisions and you are confused. So, I think Harmanpreet will be an asset for Smriti,” Manhas said.
His comments underline the importance of maintaining continuity during a leadership change rather than expecting a new captain to manage every challenge independently.
Harmanpreet’s presence in the squad gives Mandhana access to the experience of a player who has led India through different international challenges. The BCCI president’s remarks suggest that the board sees this transition as an opportunity to combine fresh leadership with established experience.
Manhas did not directly explain the reasons behind Mandhana’s appointment. Instead, he emphasised the importance of a supportive team environment and the role senior players can play in developing the next generation of leaders.
For Indian women’s cricket, the focus will now be on how Mandhana establishes her captaincy while drawing on Harmanpreet’s experience during the transition.
For official cricket updates, visit the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem