KARACHI: Former India captain Mithali Raj on Thursday insisted that left-arm opener Smriti Mandana should have been elevated to the ODI captaincy two or three years ago.
Mithali, who has represented India in 12 WTests, 232 WODIs and 89 WT20Is, asserted that it is not too late to hand Mandhana the captaincy in longer formats, citing her “vast experience” in her glittering international career spanning more than 20 years.
The former top-order batsman backed youngsters like Shafali Verma and Jemima Rodriguez for the T20I captaincy, highlighting their previous stints in leadership roles with India U19 and Women’s Premier League Delhi Capitals respectively.
“Two or three years ago I thought Smriti would lead the ODI format,” Mithali told the Press Trust of India (PTI).
“But even now, she should be given at least one day and a younger one with vast experience of holding Test form and maybe T20.
“I think Shafali (Verma). His form is T20I. And he captained the Under-19 World Cup team (to win the title in 2023). Why not Shafali? Jamie (Rodriguez) of course, yes. He captained (Delhi Capitals) in the WPL.
“But whoever they choose, I hope they give them some time to sort themselves out. Because we’ve all got time to settle into our roles as leaders.”
Notably, Mithali’s comments came the next day that Mandana was ready to take on more responsibility following her group-stage exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.