The Indian women's cricket team is gearing up for their first ODI against New Zealand, but without their captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced via a post on X that Kaur will be sitting out due to a niggle, leaving Smriti Mandhana to handle the captaincy. This comes after India's disappointing performance at the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which has sparked discussions about replacing Kaur as the T20 captain. Batting legend and former captain Mithali Raj suggests that if a change in leadership is necessary, it should be done sooner rather than later to ensure proper preparation for the next World Cup.
Smriti Mandhana Takes Over as India's ODI Captain Amid T20 Leadership Speculation
Background
The Indian women's cricket team is preparing for its first ODI match against New Zealand. However, the team will be without their regular captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who is out due to a minor injury. In her absence, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been named the captain.
This news comes after India's disappointing performance at the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, где команда вышла до полуфинала. Выступление вызвало вопросы о лидерстве Каур как капитана T20.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the reason behind Harmanpreet Kaur's absence from the ODI team? A: Kaur is out due to a minor niggle, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
2. Who is Smriti Mandhana? A: Mandhana is a left-handed batter who is considered one of the best players in women's cricket. She has been the vice-captain of the Indian team since 2018.
3. Why is there speculation about Harmanpreet Kaur's future as T20 captain? A: India's disappointing performance at the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup has raised questions about Kaur's leadership. Some critics believe that a change in captaincy may be necessary to improve the team's performance.
4. What has Mithali Raj said about this situation? A: Batting legend and former captain Mithali Raj has suggested that if a change in leadership is necessary, it should be done sooner rather than later to ensure proper preparation for the next World Cup.
5. What is the next major event for the Indian women's cricket team? A: The next major event for the team is the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, which will be held in India in 2025.
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