Despite Harmanpreet Kaur‘s valiant performance at the Women’s World Cup 2025, Anjum Chopra publicly voiced displeasure with Shantha Rangaswamy’s suggestion that someone should take her place as India’s captain. Harmanpreet should now concentrate on her batting and fielding, according to Rangaswamy, a former India captain in her own right. The 71-year-old believes that selecting a new captain may be a good move for India going forward.
During the Indian team’s successful World Cup run, Harmanpreet guided them admirably. She also proved herself at bat, amassing 260 runs in eight games, including an audacious 89 off 88 balls against Australia in the semi-finals.
According to Anjum Chopra, some people want to see Harmanpreet fired from her position as the team’s captain following every major competition, regardless of India’s result. The former captain of India chose not to elaborate because she did not want to spoil the nation’s joy after winning the World Cup.
“This is the one statement that is released following each World Cup. You may see how frequently these kinds of claims have been made by selecting the last four or five World Cups. They feel Harman should be fired when India loses a tournament.
“They say Harman should be fired when India wins a tournament,” Anjum Chopra told NDTV.
Thus, these kinds of claims are made consistently. Since it would ruin the moment of India’s victory, I really don’t want to comment on this at this time,” she continued.
From the first day until now, I have never once doubted that Anjum Chopra is a match-winner.
Having watched Harmanpreet grow as a cricket player up close, Anjum Chopra and Harmanpreet have a strong bond. The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster claimed that ever since she first witnessed Harmanpreet playing, she has regarded her as a match-winner. This, according to Anjum Chopra, is one of the reasons she speaks out against the 36-year-old leading the Women in Blue.
“She played domestic cricket with us on the first day I met her. Later, during the 2007–08 Challenger Trophy tournament in Mumbai, we were all in an Indian camp. Her skill as an under-19 player who could hit the ball far caught my attention right away. I had no doubt that she was unique,” Anjum Chopra remarked.
“Before she joined the Indian squad, we played cricket together in the home league. I was really amazed by the level of competence Harman displayed over those few excursions. From the first day till now, I have never once doubted her ability to win a match. I have been adamant throughout the years that Harman ought to be our captain because of this,” Anjum Chopra said.
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