BCCI wants Harmanpreet to stay in squad to mentor new captain Smriti Mandhana

Recently, BCCI president Mithun Manhas told Sportstar that the board expects Harmanpreet Kaur to remain in the India women's squad to guide newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana after Harmanpreet handed over the captaincy.

Harmanpreet relinquished the captaincy following a successful tenure and remains part of the team, a development Manhas said he was pleased to see. Speaking to Sportstar, Manhas said: “I have always believed that the baton should be passed on when you have somebody senior around to guide them.” He added: “Because captaincy is not easy, no matter how experienced you are.”

Manhas drew a parallel with succession patterns in the Indian men's team, noting past transitions and the role of senior figures in supporting new leaders. He recalled that when MS Dhoni stepped down as captain, Virat Kohli was ready to take over and Dhoni stayed on to mentor him, often helping with field placements, DRS calls, and bringing on bowlers.

Manhas outlined the chain of mentorship within the men's side, saying that when Dhoni took over he had Sourav Ganguly to help him. He added that Dhoni subsequently supported Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and that the pair are now assisting Shubman Gill as he settles into captaincy.

On the current women's team arrangement, Manhas said the presence of an experienced senior would be useful to Mandhana in difficult moments. “There will be situations when you have to make decisions and you are confused. So, I think Harmanpreet will be an asset for Smriti,” Manhas said, while sidestepping a direct explanation of Mandhana’s appointment and instead emphasising the backing Mandhana would receive from the team’s support system.

Smriti Mandhana's first assignment as captain is the home series against Zimbabwe, giving the squad an immediate opportunity to operate under the new leadership while retaining Harmanpreet as a senior presence.