- Mithali Raj: Now former Indian captain Mithali Raj has expressed her anger over the poor performance. Also demanded a change in captaincy.
Source: X/Twitter
Mithali Raj: The performance of the Indian team in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 was very mediocre. The Indian team captained by Harmanpreet Kaur disappointed the fans by performing averagely in every department. The Indian team’s batting was a flop but the team also missed many easy catches during fielding.
The Indian team, which dreamed of winning the Women’s World Cup, had a bad start and the result was that India had to be eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup. In this connection, now former Indian captain Mithali Raj has expressed her anger over the poor performance. She has also demanded a change in captaincy.
Mithali Raj’s statement on Team India’s poor performance
Mithali Raj’s statement on Team India’s poor performance
In the first match of the T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian team had to face a big defeat against New Zealand. After this, the Indian team registered convincing victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but then in an important match the team had to face defeat against Australia. Team India lost the match against Australia, which it was winning.
This match was very important for India to reach the semi-finals. After India’s defeat, former Indian captain Mithali Raj expressed her anger and said that the way the women’s team lost the match against Australia, it seems that the team has not learned anything in three years.
“There has been no improvement in the last three years”- Mithali
“There has been no improvement in the last three years” Mithali
Mithali Raj said the team’s downfall was due to a lack of clarity in batting and poor fielding as well as failure to adapt quickly to the conditions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She said that
The defeat against Australia proved that there has been no improvement in this team in the last three years. If I talk about the match against Australia, it was a winnable match. We had chances but it seemed that we were following the same pattern against Australia, which includes taking the match to the last overs and facing defeat. This strategy is not effective.
Mithali Raj further said-
I haven’t really seen any development in this team in the last two-three years. I mean you always prepare to beat the best team. It seems like we are beating other teams and we are quite happy with that. Mithali said that every other team in this tournament has shown development despite limited depth. But our team has shown it
Mithali demanded the removal of Harmanpreet Kaur from captaincy
Apart from this, Mithali Raj also talked about change in captaincy in Team India. She advocated making a young player the captain in place of Harmanpreet Kaur. She believes that India should make Jamim Rodrigues the captain in place of Samirti Mandhana.
In a turn of events that shook Indian cricket fans, India’s elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024 left many disheartened, but it was former captain Mithali Raj’s explosive reaction that made headlines. Known for her calm demeanor and composed leadership, Mithali’s rare display of frustration was directed at the Indian women’s cricket team, especially skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and key players, after the shocking exit from the tournament.
A Promising Start, A Disappointing End
India entered the T20 World Cup 2024 with high hopes, showcasing a blend of experienced players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and emerging talents such as Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues. The group stages saw moments of brilliance, with the team giving glimpses of its potential. However, inconsistency plagued their performances, leading to a premature exit from the competition.
Mithali Raj’s Anger: A Leader’s Discontent
Mithali Raj, who has been a guiding figure for Indian women’s cricket for over two decades, did not hold back her disappointment. Known for leading India to several historic victories, including two World Cup finals, Mithali has always been a symbol of discipline and professionalism. However, watching from the sidelines as a mentor and former captain, she couldn’t hide her displeasure at the team’s lackluster performances.
Reports suggest that Mithali expressed her anger in a closed-door meeting after the team’s exit. She reportedly reprimanded the entire squad, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, for not showing the fighting spirit and mental toughness required in crunch situations. The harsh words were not just directed at the team’s performance on the field but also at the lack of focus and accountability displayed throughout the tournament.
Harmanpreet Kaur Under the Scanner
Harmanpreet Kaur, one of India’s most explosive batters and the current captain, found herself in the eye of the storm. Mithali’s criticism centered on Harmanpreet’s leadership during key moments, particularly the inability to lift the team’s morale after crucial defeats. Mithali was vocal about how Harmanpreet, being one of the senior-most players, should have shown more resilience and led by example when the team needed her the most.
The World Cup loss was not just a collective failure but also a personal blow to Harmanpreet, who had struggled with form throughout the tournament. Mithali’s pointed remarks towards her captaincy were a reminder that great leadership in cricket is about handling pressure and guiding the team through adversity.
The Team’s Response
While Mithali’s outburst came as a shock to many, it was a wake-up call for the team. Senior players like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma were reportedly reflective after the tough words from the legend. Mithali’s concern for the team’s future and her passion for Indian women’s cricket were evident, as she urged the players to take responsibility for their performance and regroup with renewed focus and determination.
It was not the first time Mithali has called for accountability. During her career, she often emphasized the importance of mental toughness and preparation, qualities she felt were lacking in the current squad. This time, however, her words carried the weight of frustration from watching a team with immense potential fail to capitalize on their strengths.
The Road Ahead for Indian Women’s Cricket
Mithali’s criticism, while harsh, could serve as a much-needed catalyst for the Indian women’s team. The T20 World Cup 2024 was a missed opportunity, but there are lessons to be learned from the disappointment. With key tournaments like the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, the team will have to regroup, reflect, and improve on their shortcomings.
For fans and players alike, Mithali Raj’s outburst was a reminder that Indian women’s cricket holds high standards, and mediocrity will not be tolerated. Her legacy as one of the game’s finest players is built on discipline, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence—qualities she now expects the current team to embody as they move forward.
Conclusion
Mithali Raj’s frustration following India’s T20 World Cup exit is a powerful reminder of the high expectations surrounding Indian women’s cricket. As the team navigates this setback, the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur and the response from senior players will determine the future course of Indian women’s cricket. Mithali’s reprimand, though harsh, could be the driving force that reignites the fire in the team, pushing them to greater heights in the tournaments to come.
This blog highlights the emotional aftermath of India’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 and the leadership challenges faced by Harmanpreet Kaur under the pressure of expectations.