Even before the dust had settled on India’s group‑stage exit at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, the selectors announced the squad for the Asian Games and chose to retain Harmanpreet Kaur as captain.
There is no doubting Harmanpreet’s batting pedigree. She remains one of India’s finest stroke‑makers and still has plenty to offer with the bat. But keeping her on as captain feels like a step backwards. She has already led India in 147 WT20Is, the most by any Indian captain. Mithali Raj, second on the list, captained in just 32. Under Harmanpreet, India have won 85 and lost 57 matches, with five yielding no result. That gives her a win percentage of 59.86% and a loss percentage of 40.14%.
Also Read: List of all batters to score a century at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Yet, despite her longevity, India’s record in T20 World Cups under her leadership tells its own story. Harmanpreet has captained in five editions:
- 2018 (Caribbean): semifinal defeat to England.
- 2020 (Australia): runners‑up, outplayed in the final by 85 runs.
- 2023 (South Africa): semifinal exit, beaten by eventual champions Australia.
- 2024 (UAE): group‑stage exit after two wins and two losses.
- 2026 (England): group‑stage exit.
Across 24 World Cup matches, she has a healthy win percentage of 66.66%, but the trophy has remained elusive.
Most matches as captain for India women in WT20Is
| Player | Matches | Wins | Losses | Tied | No Result | Win % | Loss % |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 147 | 84 | 57 | 1 | 5 | 57.14 | 38.77 |
| Mithali Raj | 32 | 17 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 53.12 | 46.87 |
| Jhulan Goswami | 18 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 | 55.55 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 18 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 61.11 | 33.33 |
| Anjum Chopra | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 70 |
This is why the Asian Games should have been the moment to hand the reins to Smriti Mandhana. She has been Harmanpreet’s deputy for years, the second‑most experienced player in the squad, and her case grows stronger with every performance in the Women’s Premier League. Mandhana has already won the WPL twice, the joint‑most alongside Harmanpreet. As captain, she has led in 35 WPL matches, winning 18 and losing 17, a win percentage of 51.43%.
More importantly, she has shown her mettle in international cricket. In Harmanpreet’s absence, Mandhana has captained India in 18 WT20Is, winning 11 and losing just six, with one no result. That is a win percentage of 61.11% and a loss percentage of 33.33%.
Mandhana is ready. Making her wait longer risks stunting the team’s growth. Harmanpreet has already given everything she could as captain. Her value now lies in guiding the next generation as a senior player. The Asian Games would have been the perfect stage for Mandhana to begin her journey as India’s new leader.
Most matches as captain in WPL
| Player | Matches | Wins | Losses | Tied | Win % | Loss % |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (MI‑W) | 35 | 22 | 13 | 0 | 62.85 | 37.14 |
| Meg Lanning (DC‑W/UPW‑W) | 35 | 19 | 16 | 0 | 54.28 | 45.71 |
| Smriti Mandhana (RCB‑W) | 35 | 18 | 16 | 1 | 51.42 | 45.71 |
