Former India captain Mithali Raj has thrown her weight behind Smriti Mandhana for the longer formats while suggesting that a younger player like Shafali Verma could eventually take charge of India’s T20 side after the team’s early exit from a recent World Cup. Mithali’s comments sparked debate on social media after a user questioned whether Shafali had the leadership experience required to captain India in T20Is.

The former batting great responded firmly, explaining that her suggestion was more about planning for the future than questioning Smriti’s ability to lead. Mithali said she had expected Smriti to take over India’s ODI captaincy a few years earlier and believes the stylish left-hander is ideally suited to lead in ODIs and Tests. However, she feels the T20 format could be passed on to a younger cricketer who has already spent enough time in the setup to grow into the role.

The social media user argued that Shafali has not yet captained or even served as vice-captain at the franchise level in the Women’s Premier League, making her an unusual choice for a national leadership role.

ALSO READ: Varun Aaron Says Rohit Sharma Can Find His Rhythm Again At Lord’s

In reply, Mithali said leadership is shaped on the field rather than preserved on paper. She pointed out that Shafali has been part of India’s T20 setup since 2019, has one of the best strike rates in the format, and can also contribute with the ball. According to Mithali, those qualities make her a strong long-term option.

That’s a fair question.
This isn’t about Smriti’s ability to lead, and I have no doubt about that, which is why I’ve mentioned that’s she’s well suited to captain India in the longer formats.

My thought on Shafali is more about looking ahead. She’s still young, has one of the… https://t.co/a5P6OHNFYr

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) July 17, 2026

Mithali also highlighted Jemimah Rodrigues as another player with strong leadership potential. She said Jemimah may not have had a great World Cup, but one poor tournament should not overshadow her overall value. Mithali praised her game awareness, spin-hitting ability, selfless approach, and sharp fielding, which she believes saves India crucial runs in every match.

The former India captain added that whichever player is chosen, the management must be patient and allow them time to settle into the role. She stressed that leadership cannot be judged instantly and needs a proper runway to succeed.

ALSO READ: Shubman Gill Reacts To Joe Root’s Unbeaten 99 That Divided Cricket Fans

Mithali then pointed to a larger structural issue in Indian women’s cricket. She said Shafali Verma led India to the U-19 World Cup title but was never really developed as a leadership option afterward. In her view, the system lacks a clear roadmap and tends to think only in terms of one series at a time instead of planning two years ahead.

As India look to rebuild after another tournament setback, the captaincy conversation is likely to remain a major talking point.