Diana Edulji, a former captain of the Indian team, has voiced her opinion that Harmanpreet Kaur needs to be dropped. Edulji pointed out that past glory isn't a sustainable way to keep a position in the team, noting that the 171 runs Kaur scored back in the 2017 World Cup are no longer relevant. Since then, the T20I skipper has managed only two half-centuries.
Despite facing some fitness hurdles last year, there was a general expectation that the 32-year-old all-rounder would find her form again. However, her success in the WBBL didn't translate to the national team. Consequently, Diana believes Shafali Verma should be benched for the next New Zealand clash to accommodate the return of Smriti Mandhana.
While the team missed their star batter, Sabbhineni Meghana provided a positive spark. Meanwhile, India's top-order mainstays—Harmanpreet and the explosive Shafali—have been struggling to score. This slump is particularly evident in the 50-over games, where both have been ineffective during the current bilateral series against New Zealand.
The former bowler believes the leadership needs to make some difficult personnel changes. She suggested that coach Ramesh Powar should use the same criteria for everyone, just as he did when Jemimah Rodrigues was let go. Edulji emphasized the urgency of building a powerhouse squad with the ICC World Cup approaching.
Edulji admitted her frustration with Harmanpreet's form but added that she'd be glad to be proven wrong if Kaur performs. She also advised Shafali to refine her technique and find more stability in her stance. Looking ahead, Diana views Smriti Mandhana as the natural successor to Mithali Raj for the captaincy across all formats.