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Her remarks come at a time when questions are being raised over the leadership of current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur following India's underwhelming performances in recent ICC tournaments.

In an interaction with PTI, Mithali emphasised the need for a structured leadership transition, stating that Mandhana's experience makes her better suited for longer formats such as Tests and ODIs. At the same time, she believes a younger leader like Shafali could bring energy and innovation to the shortest format.

Mandhana ideal for ODIs and Tests

Mithali noted that Mandhana should have been given leadership responsibilities earlier, considering her consistency and vast experience at the international level.

"I at least thought Smriti would lead the ODI format two to three years back. But even now, with the experience that she has, the one-day and Test formats should be given to her," Mithali said.

Mandhana, who has been a mainstay of India's batting lineup across formats, is widely regarded as one of the most dependable players in the squad. Her calm temperament and ability to anchor innings make her a natural candidate for leadership in longer formats.

Shafali seen as future T20I leader

For T20Is, Mithali backed Shafali Verma, highlighting her aggressive style and prior leadership experience at the Under-19 level.

"For T20Is, I think Shafali. Her format is T20Is. She has already led India to an Under-19 World Cup title. Why not give her that responsibility?" Mithali remarked.

She also mentioned Jemimah Rodrigues as another potential option, given her exposure to leadership roles in franchise cricket. However, Mithali stressed that whichever player is chosen must be given adequate time to settle into the role.

Concerns over Harmanpreet's form and fitness

Mithali's comments also reflected concerns regarding Harmanpreet Kaur's recent performances and fitness levels. While acknowledging her contributions, including leading India to a historic ODI World Cup triumph, Mithali pointed out that consistency and fitness are crucial factors for a captain.

She observed that Harmanpreet has struggled with injuries in recent years and has not consistently delivered with the bat in major tournaments. According to Mithali, these aspects must be considered when planning for the next ICC cycle, especially with long-term goals like the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.

Need for a strong leadership pipeline

A key issue highlighted by Mithali was the lack of a clear leadership pipeline within Indian women's cricket. She expressed concern that the team has relied heavily on a limited leadership group without grooming future captains.

"Growth is not just about giving players opportunities in the playing XI. It is also about adding players into the leadership group," she said.

Mithali questioned why players like Shafali Verma and emerging talents were not consistently given leadership roles at India A or senior levels, pointing to the absence of a long-term roadmap.

Fitness and fielding under scrutiny

The former captain also underlined fitness as a major concern affecting both the pace attack and fielding standards. She noted that frequent injuries among fast bowlers and subpar fielding performances have hurt the team in crucial matches.

Mithali emphasised that fitness and fielding should receive as much attention as batting and bowling, urging players to focus on all-round development even outside national camps.

Additionally, she called for the development of more finishers in the batting lineup, citing players like Richa Ghosh as examples of the kind of impact players the team needs in pressure situations.

Conclusion

Mithali Raj's candid assessment reflects a broader need for strategic planning in Indian women's cricket. Her endorsement of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma signals a potential shift towards a more balanced and future-ready leadership structure. As India looks ahead to upcoming global tournaments, the focus on grooming leaders, improving fitness, and building depth could prove crucial in regaining dominance on the world stage.