Harmanpreet Kaur stands tall as India’s undisputed leader after masterminding their historic ICC Women’s ODI World Cup victory, a commanding 52-run demolition of South Africa at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai just last month.
As whispers grow about handing the baton to Smriti Mandhana, following Shantha Rangaswamy’s recent nudge, former India stalwart Anjum Chopra shuts down the debate with conviction. “Harmanpreet Kaur is a match winner. She’s the best person to lead this Indian team,” Chopra declared, emphasizing her proven track record over any premature change.
Chopra’s backing isn’t blind loyalty; it’s rooted in years of observation. “My personal view over the past so many years has been that Harmanpreet is a match winner. I don’t think I need to say anything further,” she told PTI Videos.
Addressing Rangaswamy’s timing, Chopra adds, “Everybody has their right to share what they feel. There’s nothing right or wrong. It’s just the timing of it. I still feel that she’s the correct and apt person to lead India.” This comes at a pivotal juncture, with Harmanpreet gearing up to captain India in the five match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting December 21 in Visakhapatnam back-to-back thrillers there, then three in Thiruvananthapuram.
Harmanpreet’s resume screams leadership excellence. At 36, she’s defying age stereotypes with bat and brain. Her blistering 171* off 115 balls in the 2017 World Cup semi-final against Australia and this time the tactical nous that turned India’s World Cup campaign from shaky starts to triumphant finish. Her aggression fuels comebacks, while her calm under pressure builds unbreakable teams.
Chopra reinforces: “I still maintain she’s a match winner.” In this high-octane calendar, India needs her fire. No experiments, just dominance. Harmanpreet Kaur leads; the world follows.
Chopra nails the post World Cup mindset: “The quicker they get back into playing, everybody wants to continue that winning momentum. The moment you step back onto the park, you want to start exactly from where you left.”
She spotlights India’s power evolution Harmanpreet and Ghosh’s natural six hitting blending with trained muscle. “Power is something you can always gain. You can’t chase down 340 runs without those big hits they’re improving.” WPL’s international domestic fusion accelerates this, but it thrives under Harmanpreet’s steady guidance.
Even Harmanpreet’s praise for Richa Ghosh underscores her mentorship prowess, not succession anxiety. “I personally like Richa a lot. As a wicketkeeper, she reads the stadium really well. She understands field placements extremely well.” That’s why Harmanpreet feels she’s going to be the next superstar; she shared with The Week.
This vision groom’s future stars like Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, and Mandhana without diluting her authority. Rushing a change risk fracturing team chemistry right when continuity is key. There isn’t any need to fix the thing that is not broken.
Modern women’s cricket demands power-hitting and strategic depth, areas where Harmanpreet excels. She and Ghosh embody natural six hitting flair.
Speculation about her future ignores the bigger picture: with a T20 World Cup looming, India needs her battle hardened cool. Handing over now risks disrupting a winning formula. Harmanpreet Kaur isn’t just leading India; she’s defining an era.
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