Smriti Mandhana ready for India captaincy. But is she good enough?

For months now, questions have swirled around the future of India women’s cricket and whether the team should usher in a new era by replacing Harmanpreet Kaur as captain. Those conversations only intensified after India’s disappointing campaign at the Women’s T20 World Cup, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

The fallout from that exit led to calls for sweeping changes. Several former players and experts argued that India should begin planning for the future by moving on not only from Harmanpreet but also from head coach Amol Muzumdar. Among those voices was ICC Hall of Famer Diana Edulji, who publicly suggested that India should start looking beyond their long-serving skipper. Mithali Raj also tipped the opener to be the one to succeed Harmanpreet and take the Indian women’s team forward in all three formats.

The obvious question, then, is who takes over if the selectors decide to make that transition.

The answer, at least on paper, appears straightforward. Smriti Mandhana is India’s vice-captain, one of the team’s senior-most players and arguably the biggest face of women’s cricket in the country after Harmanpreet. Amid the debate, Mandhana recently said that she is ready to captain India if given the opportunity. Add to that her success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League, where she has won two titles as captain, and the case becomes even stronger.

Yet leading a franchise and captaining India are two very different assignments. Winning the WPL is one thing; steering the national team through ICC tournaments, intense scrutiny and the pressure of expectations is quite another. The question remains: is Mandhana ready to prove that her leadership credentials extend well beyond franchise cricket?

HER COACH CERTAINLY THINKS SO

Although her record with India is encouraging, Mandhana has also endured difficult spells as captain. Last year was particularly challenging. RCB failed to qualify for the playoffs, while Mandhana also endured a difficult stint with Ratnagiri Jets in the Maharashtra Premier League, where the side managed just one win in six matches.

Numbers, however, do not always tell the whole story.

Devika Palshikar, who worked closely with Mandhana during her time with the Ratnagiri Jets and has watched her leadership evolve, believes the left-hander is ready to shoulder international responsibilities.

“Fortunately, I worked very closely with Smriti only last season in the WMPL, where she was our team’s captain, and I got to observe her leadership qualities from close quarters. During a press conference, I even told Smriti, ‘I think you are ready now to take on the international responsibilities as captain’,” Palshikar told India Today in an exclusive interview.

That endorsement carries weight. Palshikar is not merely assessing Mandhana from afar; she has seen how the opener operates in dressing rooms, how she handles players and how she reacts under pressure.

Importantly, Palshikar does not judge captaincy solely through results.

“No, as I said, even last year when she was captain, unfortunately, out of six matches we could win only one. But that does not mean that she is not a good captain. It is also about team combinations. A team does not win simply because the captain is very good, nor does it lose solely because the captain is poor. A lot depends on the overall combination.”

Her argument reflects a reality that is often ignored in the aftermath of defeats. Captains are ultimately judged by scorelines, but results depend on a host of factors—team balance, injuries, opposition quality and form.

BUT NOT JUST YET

Despite her admiration for Mandhana’s leadership, Palshikar is not advocating an immediate change at the top.

The former India pacer believes Harmanpreet still has plenty to offer and that one disappointing ICC tournament should not force the selectors into hasty decisions.

“But there is still a lot left in Harman. After that T20 campaign, when we did not perform well, I heard many people saying that India needed to look at other captaincy options and replacements. However, we should not start thinking differently just because of one disappointing tournament or a single setback under Harman’s captaincy.”

“That said, if the selectors are planning for the future, then Smriti has to be the choice.”

That balanced assessment perhaps reflects the mood within Indian cricket itself. While criticism of Harmanpreet has grown louder, there has been no indication that the team management is keen to make an immediate switch.

The selectors, too, have continued to back the veteran batter. India recently retained Harmanpreet as captain for the Asian Games, suggesting that the board remains committed to continuity.

NUMBERS ON MANDHANA’S SIDE

Unlike many captaincy hopefuls, Mandhana has already had opportunities to lead India whenever Harmanpreet has been unavailable. And her record is impressive to say the least.

Across 22 international matches as captain, Mandhana has guided India to 15 victories. In the ODI format, her record is flawless, with India winning all four matches under her leadership.

Those figures strengthen her claim, but Palshikar believes Mandhana’s greatest qualities cannot be measured statistically.

For her, the defining characteristic is composure.

SHADES OF MS DHONI

In Indian cricket, comparisons with MS Dhoni are reserved for only a handful of leaders. Dhoni’s reputation was built not merely on trophies but on his ability to stay calm amid chaos and make measured decisions under pressure.

Palshikar sees similar traits in Mandhana.

“I have always felt that she is a very calm person, much like MS Dhoni. She does not make hasty decisions. In fact, she thinks things through carefully before making a call, whether on the field or off it. Her communication with the younger players is excellent and she carries everyone along with her.”

The comparison is striking.

Leadership in modern cricket extends far beyond tactical decisions. Captains are expected to manage personalities, maintain dressing-room harmony and nurture young talent. By that measure, Mandhana appears to tick several boxes.

“One thing I really admire about her is the confidence she gives players. When a captain puts a reassuring hand on your shoulder, it can bring the best out of you. Smriti always backs her players, even when they are not performing well. I believe she has a knack for bringing the best out of those around her.”

That ability to inspire confidence is one of the qualities that made Dhoni exceptional. His faith in players often transformed careers. Palshikar believes Mandhana possesses a similar instinct.

“We saw that in the WPL, with the way her team performed and won titles. The same can be said about Harman as well, which is perhaps why both of them have enjoyed success in the tournament. They each have their own qualities and distinct leadership styles, and those approaches suit their respective teams.”

IF NOT MANDHANA, THEN WHO?

For all the debate around Harmanpreet’s future, India’s leadership succession plan appears thin beyond Mandhana.

Palshikar, however, believes one player stands out.

“Not as a competitor, but yes, if for some reason, Smriti is unavailable, then I would definitely go for Jemimah. Fortunately, I have worked extensively with Jemimah as well and have had the opportunity to observe her leadership qualities from close quarters.”

Jemimah Rodrigues has started building an impressive leadership resume. Having spent three seasons alongside Meg Lanning at Delhi Capitals, she has had the opportunity to learn from one of the finest captains the women’s game has produced.

This year, Rodrigues stepped into the leadership role at Delhi and guided the franchise to yet another final. Although Delhi suffered their fourth straight defeat in a title clash, Palshikar believes the youngster acquitted herself admirably.

“Recently, the way she led her team in the WPL was truly commendable. She stepped in as captain and effectively took over from Meg Lanning, who had done the job for three years. In my view, Jemimah was successful in filling that role.

“Unfortunately, the team ended up with the same result, but she handled the responsibility very well. So, if not Smriti, then Jemimah would be my choice.”

SMRITI’S TURN MAY STILL BE SOME DISTANCE AWAY

For now, though, Mandhana’s wait continues.

After India’s exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup, head coach Amol Muzumdar publicly backed Harmanpreet to continue as captain, while also making it clear that the final call rests with the selectors.

Recent developments suggest that India are not prepared to abandon a captain who delivered the ODI World Cup title last year and has been at the forefront of Indian women’s cricket for more than a decade.

Still, succession planning cannot be postponed indefinitely.

Zimbabwe’s tour of India in October, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs, could provide another opportunity for Mandhana to showcase the leadership qualities that Palshikar has witnessed up close.

Whether that opportunity comes this year or further down the road remains uncertain. But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: if India are searching for Harmanpreet Kaur’s successor, Smriti Mandhana is no longer merely the obvious candidate.

The bigger question is not whether she is ready. It is whether India are ready to hand her the captaincy.

– Ends