Anjum Chopra, former India captain, took to the press to defend Harmanpreet Kaur’s position in the leadership chair. "People keep talking about changing the captain, but somebody has to lead every Indian team," she said, adding that Kaur is still the best choice to guide the side.
The skipper was 37 and had managed a modest 71 runs in five matches at the Dubai T20 Asia Cup, a drop from the 171‑not‑out against Australia in 2017 that still haunts critics.
The debate over a leadership transition has picked up steam, with vice‑captain Smriti Mandhana 30 years old and a few fans calling for new blood. Chopra argues that experience matters and that Kaur’s strategic acumen outweighs recent batting hiccups.
Looking ahead, the team is set to defend its Asian Cup crown at the Asian Games in Japan and prepare for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027. Kaur’s ability to rediscover her rhythm will be vital for these high‑stakes tournaments.
Chopra also praised Shafali Verma, who topped the Asia Cup charts with 236 runs at a 171.01 strike rate and three half‑centuries, highlighting the depth of India’s batting lineup.
With the Asian Games on the horizon, the pressure mounts on Kaur to blend leadership with consistent run‑scoring as India aims for another gold.