Madan Lal Backs Smriti Mandhana for India Captaincy
Former cricketer Madan Lal names Smriti Mandhana as the ideal successor to Harmanpreet Kaur following her decision to step down from captaincy.
Former Indian cricketing legend Madan Lal has thrown his weight behind opener Smriti Mandhana as the most suitable candidate to lead the Indian women's cricket team. His endorsement comes in the wake of Harmanpreet Kaur announcing her decision to step down from captaincy across all formats.
A Legacy of Excellence
Harmanpreet Kaur's departure marks the end of a monumental era in Indian women's cricket. The veteran batter, who recently guided India to a gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, shared an emotional farewell on social media. She highlighted the immense sacrifices made during her tenure, often prioritizing team interests over her individual statistics and personal ambitions.
Speaking to ANI, Madan Lal, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, praised Harmanpreet's transformative impact on the sport. "We should appreciate her, as she has performed really well, taken women's cricket forward significantly, won a World Cup, and her individual performance has also been quite good," Lal remarked, acknowledging the weight of her decision.
Why Smriti Mandhana?
While not a member of the selection committee, Lal believes Mandhana possesses the perfect blend of skill and leadership experience required for the role. The current vice-captain has already demonstrated her mettle by leading the side in Harmanpreet's absence on multiple occasions.
Lal cited several key reasons for his preference:
- Consistent Individual Performance: Mandhana is currently in a "red-hot" vein of form.
- Extensive Experience: She has played a significant number of international matches.
- Proven Leadership: She has successfully captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles.
"Smriti Mandhana is a deserving candidate because of her good performance, experience, and the large number of matches she has played," Lal added, emphasizing that individual excellence is vital for any international leader.
The Selection Dilemma
The conversation around leadership also touched upon young sensation Shafali Verma. While Verma has shown incredible form and a deep understanding of the T20I format, Lal remained cautious about her potential appointment. He noted that the final decision rests solely with the selectors, who must judge whether a player possesses the specific leadership qualities necessary for the top job.
Harmanpreet's Emotional Exit
For Harmanpreet, the decision to step aside was deeply personal. In her Instagram post, she reflected on the "blood, sweat, and time" she invested in the team. Her crowning achievement remains the 2025 ODI World Cup victory, where she led India to their maiden title in the format.
"As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost," Kaur stated, adding that her primary goal was always to create opportunities for her teammates to reach their full potential. She concluded by expressing her continued commitment to the team, even as she moves away from the captaincy role.