The Captaincy clock has run out and it's time for India to move on from Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur's time as captain is up [Source: @Rajiv1841/X.com]

There comes a time in every team’s journey when tough decisions must be made. And for India Women, that time has arrived with Harmanpreet Kaur.

Once celebrated for her fearless batting and leadership spark, Harmanpreet now looks like a captain who has run out of ideas, passion, and perhaps even patience. 

After two straight defeats in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup, questions are being asked, and rightly so.

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Harmanpreet Kaur isn’t leading by example

Having aggression is good, but when it leads to ugly outbursts, it is when the fine line between sportsmanship and unsportsmanlike behaviour gets blurred. 

Harmanpreet Kaur has too often been defined by emotional outbursts and questionable on-field behaviour.

From taunting oppositions to having beef with umpires to publicly having a go at her own teammates, Kaur has repeatedly come across as rude, arrogant and dominant. 

Her behaviour has created an uncomfortable image for a captain who should be setting the standard for professionalism. 

Kaur often throws her teammates under the bus

A captain is supposed to lead from the front and shield her team from scrutiny. But Harmanpreet Kaur is spotted throwing her teammates under the bus following losses, blaming others rather than taking responsibility.

From dubious choices to lost chances, she blames bowlers or fielders, seldom admitting her own mistakes. This sort of attitude negates team morale and questions her leadership credibility.

A decade-long captaincy, yet an empty trophy cabinet

(Table: Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy record)

Apart from temperament, the facts are louder. Under her captaincy, Harmanpreet Kaur has failed to take India to an ICC trophy yet.

With her as leader, India have often looked promising in the early stages of tournaments only to crumble under pressure. 

Whether it was the 2023 T20 World Cup semifinal collapse against Australia or the ongoing performances in the ODI World Cup, India's failure to get over the line has turned into a habit, and habits do not lie with leaders.

Beyond ICC events, Kaur has failed to challenge top-ranked teams. For instance, in her captaincy, India has lost 10 out of the last 11 ODIs vs Australia. 

Kaur lacks game sense as captain

The biggest issue, however, lies in her tactical shortcomings. Harmanpreet Kaur has frequently been late in responding to a changing match situation, particularly where bowling rotations are concerned.

At times, key bowlers have been underused while part-timers have been persisted with during crucial moments. Her field placements have looked defensive when aggression was needed. 

It’s as if India are playing on auto-pilot, without the spark or flexibility required in modern-day cricket. 

Her batting, too, has lost the edge that once made her one of the most feared strikers in women’s cricket. The fire that produced her iconic 171* in the 2017 World Cup seems dimmed. 

When a captain stops leading from the front with performances, it becomes harder to inspire belief in the dressing room. 

To be fair, Harmanpreet has done a lot for Indian women’s cricket. She helped bridge the gap between the old guard and the new generation. But leadership is about knowing when to step aside. 

Right now, India need a fresh voice and a calmer head in charge, someone who can bring back tactical sharpness and emotional balance.

Final thought

It’s never easy to move on from a big name, but Indian women’s cricket is evolving fast, and sentiment cannot dictate selection. The team deserves a leader like Smriti Mandhana who can think clearly under pressure, not one who lets frustration take over.

Harmanpreet's captaincy should be remembered for her passion and contributions, but it should also be a lesson that no leadership lasts, just like form.

For India to move forward, it’s time they looked beyond Harmanpreet Kaur.

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