This is the time to change: Mithali Raj calls for sacking of Harmanpreet after humiliating World Cup

Former Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj has called for a change in leadership, suggesting that Harmanpreet Kaur should be replaced as captain of the national team. In an interview with PTI, Mithali expressed her disappointment with the team's performance in the ongoing 2024 Women's T20 World Cup , citing a lack of growth and role clarity in the batting department, untested bench strength, and subpar fielding.

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Mithali Raj wants Harmanpreet Kaur to be sacked

Mithali Raj emphasized that the team has been following the same template for too long, resulting in consistent failures against top teams like Australia. Mithali suggested Jemimah Rodrigues, 24, as a potential replacement for Harmanpreet Kaur, citing her energy, leadership qualities, and ability to build momentum on the field. 

“If the selectors decide to change, I would go for a young captain. This is the time (to change) if you delay more then we have another World Cup on the horizon. If you are not doing now, then don't do it later. Then it is too close to the World Cup,” Mithali said. 

“Smriti is there (has been vice-captain for long) but I think someone like Jemima, she's 24, she's young, she will serve you more. And someone who I feel on the field gets that energy. She speaks to everybody. I was very impressed by her in this tournament,” she added. 

“Despite playing those cameo roles, she never could convert her starts, but someone who really made an effort to build a momentum if there was no momentum, and if there was a momentum, she tried to carry that momentum,” she concluded. 

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Mithali Raj's comments come after India's disappointing performance in the Women's T20 World Cup , where they failed to advance to the semifinals. India lost to Australia in their final group-stage match, leaving all possibilities of qualification to the outcome of the Pakistan vs New Zealand clash. India needed Pakistan to beat New Zealand to qualify for the semifinals but the match didn't pan out in their favour. Once again India bottled up a World Cup under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur.