New Delhi: When MS Dhoni decided to step down as the captain of the Indian men's team, Virat Kohli was ready to take over the reins. Even after relinquishing the leadership role, Dhoni stayed on to mentor Kohli, frequently assisting him with field placements, Decision Review System calls, and bowling changes. The Board of Control for Cricket in India aims to replicate this successful transition model within the women's national team.
Harmanpreet Kaur recently handed over the captaincy to Smriti Mandhana following a successful tenure, with the opening batter's first assignment being a home series against Zimbabwe. Harmanpreet remains an active member of the squad, a situation that BCCI president Mithun Manhas views as ideal for the team's future.
In an interview with Sportstar, Manhas emphasized that leadership responsibilities should ideally be transferred while a senior figure remains with the group to provide guidance. He noted that captaincy is inherently challenging regardless of a player's overall experience.
Tracing the historical success of the men's program, Manhas pointed out that former captains like Sourav Ganguly aided Dhoni, who subsequently supported Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He added that senior players are currently helping guide Shubman Gill into his leadership responsibilities.
Manhas expressed confidence that Harmanpreet will prove invaluable when Mandhana encounters difficult tactical scenarios on the field. He noted that every captain eventually faces moments of confusion regarding decision-making, making the presence of an experienced former skipper a tremendous asset.
While avoiding a direct elaboration on the exact circumstances of Mandhana's appointment, Manhas underscored the importance of the robust support system surrounding the new captain as she begins her tenure.