ICC World Cup 2025
Harmanpreet KaurSmriti MandhanaWomens World Cup 2025

Kaur Faces Sack Calls After 2 Defeats; India’s World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 3 days ago | Oct 13, 2025 08:09 pm IST
Kaur Faces Sack Calls After 2 Defeats; India's World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy

Things have gone south, fast. Just days after a shock defeat to South Africa, the Indian Women’s team suffered another crushing loss, this time to Australia on October 12, 2025, in Visakhapatnam. Now, captain Harmanpreet Kaur is facing a massive backlash, with fans demanding she be removed from her post as India’s World Cup semi-final hopes hang by a thread.

Key Takeaways

  • Harmanpreet Kaur is facing calls to be sacked after two straight losses in the Women’s World Cup 2025.
  • India lost to South Africa on Oct 9 and then suffered a record defeat to Australia on Oct 12.
  • Kaur’s personal form is a major concern, with just 71 runs in five tournament matches.
  • Fans on social media are pushing for Smriti Mandhana to be named the new captain.

What Just Happened?

Look, the match against Australia was a rollercoaster of emotions. India put up a massive 330 runs, their highest-ever total in a World Cup. At one point, they were cruising at 294 for five in the 43rd over. It felt like a win was in the bag. But then, a catastrophic collapse. The team lost its last six wickets for a measly 36 runs, a failure that would come back to haunt them.

Australia, led by a blistering 142 from Alyssa Healy, chased down the target and set a new record. They reached 331, pulling off the highest successful run chase in the tournament’s history. This wasn’t just a loss; it was a record-breaking defeat on home soil.

The Social Media Storm

And the fans are not holding back. After the back-to-back losses, social media exploded with criticism aimed directly at Harmanpreet Kaur. Her captaincy decisions, her five-bowler strategy, and her own dismal batting form have all come under fire. One fan bluntly asked, “When is Harmanpreet Kaur getting sacked by BCCI?” Another simply stated, “Time to go.”

This wasn’t just a one-off. The loss to South Africa on October 9th had already sparked debate. In that match, the top order crumbled and Kaur herself was dismissed for just 9 runs. The latest defeat has only amplified the calls for change. Here’s the thing, many supporters are pointing to Smriti Mandhana as the obvious replacement, praising her consistency even as the team struggles around her.

Expert Analysis

It’s a tough spot for any captain. After the Australia match, Kaur tried to defend her team’s strategy. She acknowledged the issues, stating, “We missed…” runs in the last six overs and pointing to the batting collapse as the key reason for the loss. But honestly, for many watching, defending the team combination after such a public failure isn’t enough. The pressure is immense, and with semi-final qualification now requiring India to win all their remaining games, every decision will be scrutinized even more heavily.

What’s Next for Team India?

So, where does India go from here? Their path to the semi-finals is now incredibly difficult. They don’t just need to win; they need to win convincingly to have a real shot. The team’s morale is undoubtedly low, and the public pressure on the captain is at an all-time high.

Will the BCCI listen to the fans and make a drastic change mid-tournament? Or will they stick with Harmanpreet Kaur, hoping she can pull off a miraculous turnaround? The next few matches aren’t just about winning; they’re about the future of India’s leadership. What do you think they should do?