BCCI president Mithun Manhas believes Smriti Mandhana will benefit from Harmanpreet Kaur's guidance while leading the Indian women's cricket team. Manhas believes that an experienced senior player can help a new captain navigate difficult decisions and manage the pressures of international cricket.
Mandhana has taken over as India's all-format captain after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role. The 30-year-old opener will begin her first full-time assignment with a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Raipur from October 16, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara.
Harmanpreet Kaur Will Be an Asset for Smriti Mandhana, Says Mithun Manhas
In a conversation with Sportstar, Mithun Manhas explained that Indian cricket has benefited from keeping experienced players around to guide new captains. He said leadership transitions become easier when a senior figure remains available to share experience and help the new leader make important decisions.
“I have always believed that the baton should be passed on when you have somebody senior around to guide them,” Manhas said. “Because captaincy is not easy, no matter how experienced you are.”
“This transformation has helped Indian cricket in a big way,” he said.
“There will be situations when you have to make decisions and you are confused. So, I think Harmanpreet Kaur will be an asset for Smriti,” he added.
T20 World Cup Struggles Strengthen Case for Smriti Mandhana's Appointment
Harmanpreet Kaur led India to the 2025 ODI World Cup triumph. However, India's struggles in the Women's T20 World Cup have remained a concern. The team has yet to win the tournament and failed to reach the semi-finals in the last two editions, despite the emergence of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023.
Smriti Mandhana brings considerable experience to the role. She has been one of India's leading batters since making her international debut in 2013 and served as the national team's vice-captain for several years. The southpaw has also captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs.
Her success in franchise cricket has strengthened her leadership credentials. Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two WPL titles in four years, giving her further experience in managing a team and making decisions under pressure.
Harmanpreet Kaur Ends Historic Captaincy Tenure
Harmanpreet Kaur is one of India's most accomplished leaders. She won 126 of the 211 matches in which she captained the national team, ending her tenure with a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. India successfully defended the title under her leadership.
Her biggest achievement came in 2025, when she guided India to their maiden ODI World Cup title on home soil. India defeated South Africa in the final. Harmanpreet Kaur became only the third Indian captain after Kapil Dev and M.S. Dhoni to win the men's or women's 50-over World Cup.
Harmanpreet began captaining India in T20Is in 2016 and took charge of the Test and ODI teams in 2022 after Mithali Raj retired. During her tenure, India also reached the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup final and won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
She also set a major record in the shortest format, becoming the first captain in international cricket, male or female, to lead a team in more than 150 T20Is. The middle-order batter finished her tenure having captained India in 155 T20Is, 51 ODIs and five Tests.
