Shantha Rangaswamy bats for Smriti Mandhana to be next India captain

Smriti Mandhana's knack of taking responsibility while being consistent makes her the ideal candidate to replace the veteran Mithali Raj at the helm, former captain Shantha Rangaswamy said on Sunday after India's elimination in the group stage in the ODI Women's World Cup. The Mithali Raj-led side, who were the last edition's runners-up, lost to South Africa by three wickets to make a premature exit from the showpiece, capping an inconsistent show.

Read AlsoWomen's World Cup: Infighting, inconsistency plagued India's campaign; 'time to look beyond Mithali and Jhulan'

Rift in the team, "fitness issues" and an attack that lacked variety and sting, all of it seems to have contributed to India's pre-mature exit from the ICC Women's World Cup. The runners-up finish five years ago had changed the face of women's cricket and considering the massive strides the game

Even as she has stopped short of calling it quits, Mithali's 23-year-old International career may have come to an end with the defeat. Talking to PTI, Shantha said her choice for the next captain is Smriti and not the India star batter Harmanpreet Kaur. "Mithali can go on if she wants to... Smriti should lead. Harman is a proven match-winner and star player but captaincy needs taking responsibility and playing consistently well. Additional responsibility of captaincy may weigh Harman down," Shantha said.

Read AlsoI've not really thought about my future: Mithali Raj on retirement call

She may have earlier hinted at a possible retirement at the end of the Women's World Cup, but veteran India captain Mithali Raj on Sunday said it's not the right time to take a call on her future just after the country's heart-breaking exit from the showpiece.

"It will put an additional