Former India captain Anjum Chopra has thrown her support behind Harmanpreet Kaur to continue leading India's T20I side, insisting no other player is ready
to take over despite the team's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal heartbreak.
India's campaign came to a disappointing end after a six-wicket defeat to Australia, but Chopra believes changing captains would not solve the team's deeper issues.
Instead, the former skipper has called for greater role clarity, a fearless batting approach and significant improvements in fitness before the next global tournament.
Harmanpreet Kaur is still the best captain
With questions emerging over Harmanpreet's future following another ICC knockout exit, Chopra firmly backed the veteran to continue leading the side.
> "I still think she is the best captain to lead India. I don't think any other player is ready for captaincy at this point. "
Chopra admitted there are multiple areas requiring attention but believes leadership is not India's biggest concern.
"If we start talking about areas to work on, from captaincy to batting to bowling, it will be a long list of homework," she said.
Batting order lacked clarity
One of Chopra's biggest criticisms was India's constant shuffling of the batting order during the tournament.
She questioned why Yastika Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues were used in different positions compared to previous series and suggested Harmanpreet should permanently move up the order.
"I personally believe Harmanpreet should bat at No. 3 and, at No. 4, you should have a batter who can make a positive impact on the game, and that is Richa Ghosh. "
Chopra also felt India missed an opportunity by delaying Richa Ghosh's arrival at the crease against Australia.
'Richa should have come in earlier'
India posted 170 against Australia, but Chopra felt the total was below par against one of the strongest teams in world cricket.
She believed Richa Ghosh should have walked in by the 17th over instead of arriving later, costing India valuable finishing runs.
"170 is a good total, but against Australia, in basically a World Cup knockout, it was slightly below par. "
She also pointed to India's long-standing concern over the fifth bowling option, calling it another issue that resurfaced in the semifinal.
Aakash Chopra backs retired-out decision
Former India opener Aakash Chopra, meanwhile, defended the idea of retiring out batters in T20 cricket if it benefits the team.
Using Jemimah Rodrigues' innings as an example, he argued that tactical substitutions should not be viewed negatively.
"My issue is that retiring out a batter is still seen as taboo, as if retiring a batter out means you've insulted them. But that's not the case. "
He compared the situation to bowlers, pointing out that captains regularly stop bowlers from completing their quota if they are having an off day.
"If a batter is trying their level best and just isn't able to time the ball well, why should they bat out their entire innings?"
According to Chopra, India's hesitation to bring Richa Ghosh in earlier ultimately left them short of the total required to challenge Australia.
Fitness remains India's biggest challenge
Beyond tactics, Aakash Chopra believes fitness is the area where India must make the biggest strides before the next Women's T20 World Cup.
He argued that modern T20 cricket demands elite athleticism alongside skill, especially against teams such as Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
"One area where Indian women's cricket will have to improve is fitness. "
He stressed that better fielding, greater power-hitting ability and improved athleticism are essential if India are to consistently challenge the world's best teams.
"This team has a lot of upside and the potential to create history, so if they have to conquer the world, by the time the next World Cup arrives, everyone should look absolutely fit and hungry. "
Bigger questions remain
India's latest ICC exit has once again raised familiar questions around batting roles, finishing power and squad balance.
While calls for change are inevitable after another World Cup disappointment, Anjum Chopra believes stability at the top remains crucial.
For her, Harmanpreet Kaur continues to be the right leader-but India's approach, rather than its captain, needs the biggest overhaul before the next global event.
