Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy signals distributed leadership model

Smriti Mandhana has taken over as India’s full-time ODI captain after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down. Mandhana’s early focus is on building a self-reliant squad with leaders at every skill level rather than relying on a single figurehead. She prefers giving players extended opportunities and backing them through form dips, a contrast to the constant experimentation seen in recent years. Harmanpreet’s return to form with a 41-ball 91 in the final T20I against Zimbabwe provides Mandhana with an experienced middle-order batter freed from captaincy pressure. The approach will be tested in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe that begins on Friday. Mandhana did not bat in the final T20I as the team trialled different combinations.