Former India captain Diana Edulji has called for sweeping changes in the Indian women’s team following its early exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, saying the time has come to move on from both captain Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar. Edulji’s remarks come just a day after the BCCI retained Harmanpreet as captain for the 2026 Asian Games, opting to back the core of the squad despite India’s failure to qualify for the semi-finals for the second successive Women’s T20 World Cup.
Questioning the decision to continue with the same leadership, the former India captain said a fresh approach was needed in the shortest format. “I think we should look beyond Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur). Though she is my favourite player and I’ve always supported her, I think we need to move on, at least in the T20Is. Let her continue as a player and think about a new captain. We should have someone with a few better ideas, especially in terms of strategy. Also, bowling changes – there’s a lot more that goes into the captaincy. I think she’s stagnated now.” she said.
Edulji, who also served on the BCCI’s Committee of Administrators (CoA), said she was disappointed that the selectors had not used the World Cup exit as an opportunity to begin a transition. She argued that difficult decisions were necessary if India hoped to become a consistently successful T20 side rather than relying on occasional triumphs.
“We must look ahead, and this was the right time. Maybe it would have looked a bit like a knee-jerk reaction because we just lost the World Cup, but I think the time has come to take some hard decisions. If you want the team to do well consistently and not just have that one-off victory in November (in the World Cup), it’s not right. We really need to take some big steps now and arrest the slide.”
Edulji questioned India’s tactical decisions throughout the tournament, including the use of Yastika Bhatia as a reserve wicketkeeper despite limited opportunities, the chopping and changing of the pace attack, and the decision to retire Jemimah Rodrigues during the final overs of the must-win clash against Australia. She felt youngsters such as Nandni Sharma and Kranti Gaud should have been backed for a longer run instead of frequent changes.
Edulji also dismissed suggestions that Harmanpreet should continue with an eye on the 2028 Olympics, pointing to the willingness to make bold leadership calls in men’s cricket. “Because I did hear Harman saying in the post-match presentation that they are looking forward to the Olympics. Yeah, I agree. So, if we can take bold decisions in men’s cricket, I think we should take bold decisions in women’s cricket as well.”
The former captain reserved equally strong criticism for head coach Muzumdar, despite acknowledging the progress India had made in the 50-over format under his tenure. She said the team had become too comfortable and required stronger leadership capable of demanding higher standards. “I don’t see him being able to produce anything more now than what he has already done. His contribution, yes, has been good. But I think we now need someone who can lift the morale of the team and, you know, be a little stricter, I would say. What the girls need, at least, is someone who can really push them out of their comfort zones.”
Throughout her assessment, Edulji repeatedly returned to what she described as India’s growing “comfort zone.” She argued that the absence of genuine competition for places had reduced accountability within the squad and called for a stronger second string of players to challenge established names. She also advocated separate squads, captains and coaching staff for the ODI and T20I teams, believing the demands of the two formats now require different approaches.
While she praised the BCCI for investing heavily in women’s cricket and welcomed India’s qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Edulji maintained that greater investment must now be matched by tougher selection calls. With the Asian Games, ICC Women’s Champions Trophy and Olympic cycle approaching, she believes India has reached a defining moment, one where continuity alone may no longer be enough.
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