Just 24 hours after Harmanpreet Kaur led India to its maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title, former captain Shantha Rangaswamy has called for her immediate resignation from the leadership role. Speaking to PTI, Rangaswamy argued that the 36-year-old remains a vital asset as a batter and fielder but is tactically limited under captaincy pressure. “It’s overdue,” she stated, emphasizing that relinquishing the role would allow Harmanpreet to contribute freely in her remaining three to four years of international cricket.

Rangaswamy proposed vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, aged 29, as the ideal successor across all formats. With the next T20 World Cup in 2026 and the ODI edition in 2029, she stressed the need for long-term planning. “Smriti should be made captain across formats. You need to plan for future World Cups,” she said, drawing parallels with Rohit Sharma’s exit after the 2025 Champions Trophy win. The suggestion, though timed controversially post-victory, is framed as being in the best interest of both Harmanpreet and Indian cricket.

Despite the triumph, Rangaswamy highlighted persistent weaknesses in bowling and fielding. “In our days, batting was the concern. Now it’s settled, but bowling needs serious work,” she observed. She noted that Australia, despite reaching the semifinals, faltered due to a depleted attack—India capitalized but must bolster its arsenal to achieve sustained dominance like the seven-time champions.

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The historic win at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium is expected to trigger a surge in women’s cricket participation. Rangaswamy predicted a “tenfold increase” in the sport’s popularity, with millions of young girls inspired over the next decade. She praised outgoing chief selector Neetu David for assembling a balanced, championship-winning squad that ended India’s ICC trophy drought.

As celebrations continue, the captaincy debate signals a pivotal transition phase. While Harmanpreet’s leadership delivered the ultimate prize, Rangaswamy’s call underscores the relentless pursuit of excellence—ensuring India builds a dynasty, not just a moment of glory.

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