In a significant endorsement for Smriti Mandhana, former Indian women's cricket captain Diana Edulji has expressed her belief that it is time for Mandhana to be appointed as captain of the national team across all three formats of the game. Edulji's comments come on the heels of Mandhana's remarkable achievement as the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, a milestone she reached during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
Mandhana's stellar performance included a stunning century of 124 runs against Hong Kong in Dubai, which not only helped her team but also allowed her to surpass the previous record held by Mithali Raj, who had amassed 10,868 runs in her illustrious career. Additionally, Mandhana set a new record for the most centuries in women's international cricket, with 18 to her name, overtaking the likes of Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt, who each have 17 centuries. Her current tally includes two centuries in T20 internationals, two in Test matches, and 14 in One Day Internationals (ODIs), showcasing her versatility and consistency as a batter.
Edulji congratulated Mandhana on her achievements and emphasized the necessity for a leadership transition within the team. She suggested that the national women's selection committee, led by Amita Sharma, should appoint Mandhana as the captain, allowing Harmanpreet Kaur to continue contributing as a senior player. Edulji pointed out that Kaur, now 37, is nearing the end of her playing career, and it is crucial to prepare for the future leadership of the team.
“Harman should be relieved of the captaincy pressure and focus on her batting, as her recent form has not been up to par,” Edulji stated. She believes that by relieving Kaur of captaincy duties, it could enhance her performance, which is vital for the team's success. Edulji also highlighted the importance of developing younger players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Varma as potential vice-captains, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline for the future.
Mandhana's second T20I century makes her the first Indian woman to achieve multiple centuries in the shortest format, further solidifying her status as a key player for India. Mithali Raj also took to social media to express her pride in Mandhana's accomplishments, acknowledging the significance of surpassing her record.
Under Harmanpreet's captaincy, the Indian women’s team celebrated a historic ODI World Cup victory last year but faced challenges, including a disappointing early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup. Despite this, the selectors have shown confidence in Kaur by retaining her as captain for the ongoing Asia Cup and the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
In a previous interview, Mandhana expressed her readiness for the captaincy role, stating, “Yes, of course, I am ready!” This sentiment reflects her ambition and readiness to take on greater responsibilities within the team. As discussions around leadership continue, the future of the Indian women's cricket team will be shaped by these pivotal decisions.
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