Harmanpreet Kaur: The Ideal Captain for India’s Women

Anjum Chopra, a former player of the Indian women's cricket team, strongly believes that Harmanpreet Kaur is the best leader for the team. As discussions regarding captaincy resurface, especially with the busy international season approaching, Chopra emphasizes the importance of focusing on performance rather than leadership changes. With the women's team gearing up for a T20 series against Sri Lanka after their recent World Cup victory, maintaining the winning momentum is crucial.

Chopra expressed her unwavering support for Harmanpreet, stating, “My personal view over the past so many years has been that Harmanpreet Kaur is a match winner.” She dismissed the suggestions from former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy to change the captain, asserting that everyone has the right to their opinions, but the timing of such discussions is essential.

Looking ahead to the Sri Lanka series, Chopra highlighted the need for the team to quickly transition back into a competitive mindset after weeks of celebrations. “The quicker they get back into playing… everybody wants to continue that winning momentum,” she remarked. The five-match T20 series is vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and Chopra believes that the team should aim to pick up right where they left off.

The former opener also spoke about the evolving power dynamics in women’s cricket, acknowledging the influence of strong teams like Australia and New Zealand. She noted that while some players, including Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh, possess natural power, developing this strength is crucial. “Power is something that you can always gain,” she said, highlighting the importance of training techniques.

Chopra praised the growing competitive nature of women’s cricket in India, noting that players have made significant strides in their abilities. “You can’t be chasing down 340 runs without having those big hits… they are improving on that,” she mentioned. She credited leagues like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for accelerating this progress.

“Tournaments like the WPL, where international players interact with our domestic players, are essential for growth,” Chopra stated. As the Indian women's cricket team looks to build on their successes, the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur remains a pivotal factor in their journey forward.