Smriti Mandhana Takes Charge Of Team India With Calm Leadership And Big Ambitions

October 15, 2026NEW DELHI-Smriti Mandhana’s ability to combine tactical clarity with a calm, approachable leadership style could help India’s women’s cricket team build on its recent successes as she takes charge as the new captain in ODIs and T20Is.

Biju George, who first noticed Mandhana’s elegant cover drive at the BCCI’s first-ever Under-19 girls’ camp in Guntur in 2013-14, nicknamed the tall, bespectacled teenager ‘Lady Dada’.

What impressed him just as much was her willingness to identify and address weaknesses in her game. Mandhana approached him about her difficulties with the hook shot and asked for help. George and his colleague Raghu took her to the indoor nets at the old National Cricket Academy (NCA), where they worked with her for hours until she addressed the problem.

That willingness to learn, seek advice and work on her game has remained a defining feature of Mandhana’s career. Now 30, she takes over from Harmanpreet Kaur, who stepped down as India’s captain on October 6 but will continue as a player.

Mandhana brings considerable experience to the role. She has captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs as a stand-in skipper and led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles in 2024 and 2026.

Her achievements with the bat have further strengthened her standing in the game. This year, she surpassed Mithali Raj to become the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, recorded her 18th international century to move past Meg Lanning and overtook Suzie Bates to top the women’s T20I run charts.

In March, Mattel created a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll in her likeness, making her the first cricketer to receive the honour.

Former India player and national selector Aarti Vaidya believes Mandhana is well prepared for the captaincy, having gained experience across international and franchise cricket, including stints in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and England’s domestic competitions.

Malolan Rangarajan, head coach of RCB’s women’s team, also considers Mandhana’s elevation a natural progression after years as India’s vice-captain and her success in the WPL.

Mandhana’s leadership at RCB has been shaped by her focus on the collective rather than individual players. Working alongside former international captains Heather Knight and Sophie Devine also gave her an experienced leadership group to draw on.

“She is a leader of a team and not a leader of select individuals. She always thinks about what’s best for the team, how this team, and anything with it, can go forward,” Rangarajan said.

He believes Mandhana’s understanding of match situations and tactical awareness are among her biggest strengths.

“She’s got an extraordinary pulse of the game. She knows what works, and what doesn’t work. With her, it was always about knowing what’s best for the team and what’s best for a situation,” he said.

Tejal Hasabnis, who will play under Mandhana in the ODI series against Zimbabwe in Vadodara, has known the new captain since their days in Maharashtra cricket. Hasabnis made her international debut under Mandhana’s captaincy during the 2024 ODI series against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

“Growing up, I have played a lot of cricket under her. She used to lead Maharashtra’s senior side as well. So, yes, it will be very familiar and I am just looking forward to it. I am so excited because this is a new chapter starting for the Indian women’s cricket team,” Hasabnis said.

She describes Mandhana as a thoughtful leader who prepares thoroughly, communicates expectations clearly and gives players the confidence to execute their plans.

“Even in domestic games, she was pretty clear on what she wanted from the team. She gave us role clarity, like what she expects from the players, and supports us to execute our plans,” Hasabnis said.

Mandhana has spent her India career under two contrasting leaders: the measured Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet, whose fiery approach helped a team still learning to believe in itself. Vaidya believes that exposure has prepared Mandhana to take charge, particularly because she has stepped in whenever Harmanpreet was unavailable.

George sums up the change in leadership style in a phrase: “Harman was steel-steel. Now Smriti will be steel and velvet.”

He believes Mandhana’s approachable nature could help create a more welcoming team environment, particularly for younger players still establishing themselves at the international level. (IANS)