Harmanpreet Kaur given ICC honour, named captain of Women’s World Twenty20 XI

Harmanpreet Kaur, whose captaincy has come under the scanner for dropping star batsman Mithali Raj in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World T20, has been appointed as the skipper for the ICC Women’s World T20 XI. The list includes Harmanpreet’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and legspinner Poonam Yadav, along with several star players from West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh. A selection panel comprising former players and commentators Ian Bishop, Anjum Chopra and Ebony Rainford-Brent, journalist Melinda Farrell and ICC's general manager - cricket, Geoff Allardice, picked up the team on the basis of the players' performances in the tournament.

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The list includes Australia star Alyssa Healy, who was named the player of the tournament and star all-rounder Ellyse Perry. West Indies’ Twenty20 star Deandra Dottin also features in the side along with England’s leading pacer Anya Shrubsole. There is only one Pakistan player in Javeria Khan while Bangladesh’s Jahanara Alam is the 12^th player.

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Australia won the ICC Women’s World T20 title for the fourth time when they defeated England by eight wickets in the final at North Sound, Antigua on Sunday. However, the appointment of Harmanpreet as skipper comes at a time when there are reports of an alleged ‘spat’ between Mithali and Harmanpreet.

Dropping Mithali raises questions

A lot of eyebrows were raised when Harmanpreet decided to drop Mithali for the semi-final against England. India suffered a collapse of eight for 23 and lost the semi-final by eight wickets. Speaking after the game, Harmanpreet said the decision to bench Mithali was taken for the team. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. One game doesn't decide whether we are a good team or a bad team.

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However, following then result, there were reports of an alleged ‘spat’ within the team. Mithali’s manager Annisha Gupta dubbed Harmanpreet Kaur “manipulative, lying, immature and undeserving” as captain. The controversy has snowballed with the Committee of Adminstrators (CoA) demanding Mithali’s fitness logs. The CoA also sought an explanation as to how the minutes of the meeting regarding the team selection for the semi-finals was leaked to the media.

ICC Women’s World T20 playing XI

Alyssa Healy (Australia), Smriti Mandhana (India), Amy Jones (England, wicketkeeper), Harmanpreet Kaur (India, Captain), Deandra Dottin (Windies), Javeria Khan (Pakistan), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand), Anya Shrubsole (England), Kirstie Gordon (England), Poonam Yadav (India), 12th player: Jahanara Alam (Bangladesh).