Women's World Cup 2025, Final: Harmanpreet Kaur [L] and Smriti Mandhana [R] (Source: Alex Davidson/ICC via Getty Images)

Former Indian captain Shantha Rangaswamy is of the opinion that Harmanpreet Kaur should step down from captaincy and let Smriti Mandhana take charge. India recently won their maiden Women's World Cup under the leadership of Harmanpreet.

Rangaswamy, the first-ever Indian captain in women's cricket, felt Harmanpreet will have more liberty to express herself as a pure batter without the additional weight of captaincy.

She opined that the change will benefit both Indian cricket and Harmanpreet. 

“It’s overdue. Harman as a batter and fielder is brilliant. But tactically, she can fumble at times. I feel she can contribute more if she’s without the burden of captaincy. When it comes after a success like this (World Cup win), it won't be taken well, but in the interest of Indian cricket and in Harman’s own interest, I think she can contribute much more as a batter without the burden of captaincy,” stated Rangaswamy, as quoted by India Today.

The 1976 Arjuna Award winner believed shifting to Smriti as the full-time captain will help the team in the long run as far as future challenges and tournaments are concerned.

“Smriti should be made captain across formats. You need to plan for future World Cups. Winning the World Cup at home is massive, but now is the time to build on it, strengthen the core and prepare for the next generation of challenges," she added.

Indiaemerged victorious in the final of the Women's World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2. Smriti, the current vice-captain of the Women in Blue, was the second leading run-getter in the competition with 434 runs in nine innings at an average of 54.25.

India will next take on Australia Down Under, in a series which will comprise three T20Is, three ODIs and a solitary Test. Prior to that, several Indian players will represent respective franchises at he Women's World Cup.  

India will next take on Australia Down Under, in a series which will comprise three T20Is, three ODIs and a solitary Test. Prior to that, several Indian players will represent respective franchises at he Women's World Cup.