Mithali\u2019s comments come after India suffered group-stage exits in two consecutive editions of the T20 World Cup under Harmanpreet\u2019s leadership. Harmanpreet, 37, led India to an unforgettable ODI World Cup title win on home soil last year. But under her leadership in T20Is since 2018, India are yet to win a T20 World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As of now, Harmanpreet is set to lead India in the Asian Games in Japan in September-October and is expected to captain them in the Women\u2019s Asia Cup in August-September. Responding to a fan on social media platform 'X' who questioned her advocacy for Shafali over current India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Mithali clarified that her vision was aimed at the long-term future of the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"That\u2019s a fair question. This isn\u2019t about Smriti\u2019s ability to lead, and I have no doubt about that, which is why I've mentioned that's she\u2019s well suited to captain India in the longer formats,\" Mithali wrote on 'X'.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Detailing her rationale behind endorsing Shafali, who has been a mainstay in the national side for seven years and captained India to its first U19 World Cup trophy in 2023, Mithali explained, \"My thought on Shafali is more about looking ahead. She\u2019s still young, has one of the best strike rates, can bowl and has been in the T20 setup since 2019; leadership is developed not on the shelf but on the field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"That\u2019s a fair question. This isn\u2019t about Smriti\u2019s ability to lead, and I have no doubt about that, which is why I've mentioned that's she\u2019s well suited to captain India in the longer formats,\" Mithali wrote on 'X'.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cShe is a team player, selfless and an excellent player of spin; she also saves 20-25 runs every game with her fielding which often goes unnoticed. So according to me both are truly prepared.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n