Smriti Mandhana Named India Captain
Smriti Mandhana will take over as the women's team captain after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role. Mandhana has been deputy to Harmanpreet for a while and has also captained the team in several matches.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur announced her decision to step down from the role.
Mandhana, who made her India debut in 2013, has been deputy to Harmanpreet for a while and has also captained the team in 18 T20Is and four ODIs.
The left-handed opener recently became the top run-getter in women's international cricket, surpassing former India skipper Mithali Raj.
Mandhana also boasts the most centuries in women's cricket across formats, accounting for 18 centuries.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Mandhana's appointment, stating that she has been one of the leading figures in Indian women's cricket over the years.
Mandhana has experience leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side, having led the Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise to the title twice.
India will be in action against Zimbabwe starting 16 October, playing at home in a three-match T20I series followed by as many ODIs.
The Women's Selection Committee has picked India's squad for the series, with Mandhana named as the captain and Shafali Verma as the vice-captain.
Key facts
- Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team.
- Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role after a review meeting with the BCCI secretary and women's team head coach.
- Mandhana has been deputy to Harmanpreet for a while and has also captained the team in several matches.
- India will play a three-match T20I series and three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe starting 16 October.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The appointment of Smriti Mandhana as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team marks a new era for the team. The team will be in action against Zimbabwe soon, and it will be interesting to see how Mandhana leads the team. The series against Zimbabwe will be a good test for the team under new leadership.
Positive
The appointment of Smriti Mandhana as the captain is a positive move for the team, as she has been one of the leading figures in Indian women's cricket over the years. She has experience leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side and has performed well in international cricket. This could be a new beginning for the team, and fans will be hoping for good results under her leadership.
Negative
The stepping down of Harmanpreet Kaur as the captain may be a loss for the team, as she has been an important part of the team's journey. However, the appointment of Smriti Mandhana as the new captain may bring some uncertainty, as she will have to lead the team in a new series against Zimbabwe. The team's performance under her leadership will be closely watched.
Your week in news, every Wednesday
The biggest stories of the week for your edition, in your inbox every Wednesday morning, your time. Free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.