Mithali believes Mandhana should have been India captain 'two-three years back'

KARACHI: Former India captain Mithali Raj on Thursday insisted left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana should have been elevated to the leadership in ODIs around two to three years ago.

Mithali, who represented India in 12 WTests, 232 WODIs and 89 WT20Is during her glittering international career, which spanned more than 20 years, emphasised that it was still not too late to give Mandhana India captaincy in the longer formats, citing her "vast experience".

The former top-order batter instead backed youngsters like Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues for the T20I captaincy, highlighting their previous stints in the leadership role with India U19 and Women's Premier League Delhi Capitals, respectively.

"I at least thought Smriti would lead the ODI format two-three years back," Mithali told the Press Trust of India (PTI).

"But now also, with the vast experience that she has at least the one-day and Test format should be given to her and perhaps the T20 to someone younger.

"I think Shafali [Verma]. Her format is T20Is. And she has led the Under-19 World Cup side [to a title win in 2023]. Why not Shafali? Jemi [Rodrigues] too of course, yes. She has led [Delhi Capitals] in the WPL.

"But I do believe that whoever they pick, they need to give them some time to settle. Because all of us got time to settle in our role as a leader."

Notably, Mithali's remarks came the following day Mandhana expressed her willingness to take on greater responsibility following the team's group-stage exit at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.