Harmanpreet Kaur is the correct person to lead India: Former captain

Harmanpreet Kaur recently led the Indian team to the Women's ODI World Cup title in front of the home fans. The Punjab cricketer was fantastic with her leadership skills and also performed well with the bat.

However, there have been some speculations regarding her future as India's captain, especially because she is already 36 years old and nearing the twilight stage of her career. Anjum Chopra, however, brushed aside these speculations and asserted that Harmanpreet remains the best person to lead this team.

“My personal view over the past so many years has been that Harmanpreet Kaur is a match-winner. I don’t think I need to say anything further. She’s the best person to lead this Indian team," Chopra was quoted as saying by News18.

Chopra dismissed recent suggestions from former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy about changing the captain, explaining that such views are personal.

“Everybody has their right to share what they feel… There’s nothing right or wrong. It’s just the timing of it. I still feel that she’s the correct person and the apt person to lead India," Chopra explained.

Everybody wants to continue that winning momentum: Chopra

India are all set to host Sri Lanka for a five-match T20I series later this month. Chopra opined that after getting a decent break to celebrate the World Cup triumph, getting back onto the field and playing some cricket should help the Women in Blue continue their momentum.

“The quicker they get back into playing… everybody wants to continue that winning momentum. The moment you step back onto the park, you want to start exactly from where you left," Chopra stated.

The former opener also spoke about the evolving power game in women’s cricket, acknowledging comparisons with teams like Australia and New Zealand.

“Power is not something that everybody is born with. There are certain players… like Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur) and Richa(Ghosh)… the power they possess is possibly natural power," the cricketer-turned-commentator noted.

However, Chopra explained that batters can look to improve their power game at any time, something which is very important in modern-day cricket.

“Power is something that you can always gain. And there are techniques, there is a proper training to it," she said, adding that Indian players have made significant progress. “You can’t be chasing down 340 runs without having those big hits… they are improving on that."

The former India opener also shared her views on the benefits of the Women's Premier League (WPL), which will have its fourth season starting next month.

“Tournaments like the WPL, tournaments where the international players rub shoulders with our domestic players… that awareness will keep happening," she said.