Harmanpreet Kaur rediscovers batting form at Asian Games: Anjum Chopra

Harmanpreet Kaur (ANI Photo) MUMBAI: Amid growing calls for a leadership change in Indian women’s cricket, former India captain Anjum Chopra has backed Harmanpreet Kaur to continue leading the side, insisting she remains the best person for the job despite a recent scrutiny of her form.Harmanpreet scored 71 runs in five matches in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 in Dubai as India won a record eighth title. With the captain now 37 and vice-captain Smriti Mandhan 30, suggestions for a change in leadership have gained momentum.However, Chopra believes that Harmanpreet remains India’s best captain. “People keep talking about changing the captain, but someone has to lead every Indian team. As of now, Harmanpreet is the best captain to lead India,” Chopra told TOI.While Chopra acknowledged that Harmanpreet’s batting in Dubai fell short of expectations, he cautioned against judging the veteran on recent returns alone. “We always expect a special innings from her, something that reminds us of the 171 not out she scored against Australia in the 2017 World Cup. But that doesn’t happen every time,” she said.Chopra is confident that the veteran batsman will rediscover her rhythm as India move towards the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027. “She knows that fluency with the bat will be important going into the big tournaments. The upcoming assignments, including the Asian Games and future bilateral series, will help her get there. She may be on the other side of 30 years, but India and India still need her services.”Fresh from an unbeaten campaign in the Asia Cup, India enter the Asian Games in Japan as the defending champions and overwhelming favourites. Chopra believes that quickly adapting to unfamiliar conditions will be their biggest challenge.“Understanding the pitches, environment and playing conditions will be key. On paper, India have a stronger side than other Asian teams, but no tournament can be taken lightly. If they adapt well and play to their strengths, they should start as favourites,” she said.Chopra also praised Shafali Verma, who led the scoring in the Asia Cup with 236 runs at a strike rate of 171.01 and three half-centuries.(Watch Asian Games 2026 live and exclusively on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV.)