Women's ODI World Cup 2025: Will Harmanpreet Kaur be dropped soon as India captain?
Prior to the start of Women's ODI World Cup 2025, there was immense hype around the Indian Women side. Of course, Australia remain the best side in the world by some distance but if recent history is proof enough, India did seem to have the skill set to challenge the world champions. Meanwhile, England seemed to be struggling in transition while New Zealand's ODI form wasn't always as strong as T20I cricket.
Midway into the tournament and it is a sense of deja vu for Indian cricket fans. Australia have won three games already with the other game being a no-result due to rain. India started with two successive wins themselves but the boat was been rocked in the last two matches. A shock defeat to South Africa was followed by the loss to Australia on Sunday (October 12).
This now leaves India with two wins from four games with a game against England still left to play. That match, in all likelihood, will be a massive contest in the semifinal race as the loser will most certainly miss out unless something extraordinary happens. If India does get knocked out, what is in store for captain Harmanpreet Kaur?
Is Harmanpreet's batting in decline?
To be fair, 2024 and 2025 have been reasonably productive years for her although the consistency levels are still underwhelming. In 2024, she averaged 39.60 with a strike-rate of 95.88 while in 2025, the average has dipped to 32.07 but the strike-rate has risen to 97.65.
Overall, just four fifty-plus scores in 26 innings isn't satisfactory for a team that aims to be the best in the world. In fact, 2022 has been the only standout year for the Indian captain as she averaged 58 at a strike rate of 89.76 with two centuries and five fifties. As captain, Harmanpreet has a better average of 43.61 with four tons and six fifties from 43 matches (41 innings).
Consistency has been a huge issue for Harmanpreet who is still among the most dangerous hitters in the women's game. The 36-year-old, though, is having a poor run in the 2025 ODI World Cup too, and needs to fire her cylinders sooner than later if India are to progress. For now, her spot in the XI is safe but captaincy questions linger.
Harmanpreet's captaincy stats
In 43 matches as captain, Harmanpreet has won 27 games and nine of her ten fifty-plus scores have come in a winning cause. This shows the impact she has as a batter whenever she clicks. Harmanpreet's average in won games is a staggering 67.55 with a strike-rate of 92.33. Brilliant numbers indeed!
India has also only lost three and drawn one bilateral series out of 11 that they have played under Harmanpreet. This includes series wins in England and Sri Lanka, apart from wins at home against New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa. There is no doubt that India has been the second best side in this format after Australia.
Age and long term future
At 36, Harmanpreet has one major issue with her age. While male cricketers extend play till their late 30s and beyond, it is rare for women to play for that long although Mithali Raj was an exception. With Smriti Mandhana in prime form, this might be the best chance to make the transition for ODI captaincy if they want to look ahead.
Statistically, Harmanpreet is still good enough to continue but her consistency and performance in crunch games hasn't been of the high standards you'd expect of her. Also, the lack of ICC silverware will hurt, although this World Cup isn't over yet. If she can conjure up the magic and help India lift the trophy, the Punjab batter might get an extensive rope.
However, if that doesn't happen, she might get the axe as captain even with the decent stats to back her up.
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