New Delhi, November 19, 2024
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 16-member squad for India Women’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. The squad will embark on a short tour of Australia in December, serving as a crucial preparation for next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup.
In a notable omission, Shafali Verma, the opening batter who has struggled to find form in recent ODI matches, has been left out of the squad. Verma, who has not scored a half-century in her last 12 ODI innings since July 2022, has faced a challenging run in the format. In the recent series against New Zealand, Verma could only manage scores of 33, 11, and 12, bringing her average to just 12.1 in her last 10 ODI innings.
Priya Punia and Harleen Deol have returned to the side for the tour, adding strength to the Indian top order. Meanwhile, Minnu Mani and Titas Sadhu, who have previously represented India in T20Is but are yet to feature in ODIs, have earned call-ups for the tour.
Squad Overview
Along with the new faces, some key players are making a return to the side after missing previous assignments. Richa Ghosh, the wicketkeeper-batter, re-joins the team after missing the New Zealand series due to her school exams. Asha Sobhana, the leg-spinner, remains sidelined after missing the New Zealand series due to injury, while Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, and Dayalan Hemalatha have not been included in the squad.
The squad also sees the retention of Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, and Tejal Hasabnis, who made their debuts in the New Zealand series. Four players, including vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, and Deepti Sharma, are already in Australia for the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Series Schedule
The three-match ODI series against Australia is set to take place on December 5, 8, and 11. The first two matches will be held at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, with the final ODI scheduled for WACA in Perth.
The series marks a significant opportunity for India Women to fine-tune their preparations for the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2025, with the team eyeing a strong performance in Australia. Following the Australia tour, India Women will play West Indies and Ireland in home series, further strengthening their build-up to the World Cup.
India Women’s Squad for Australia Tour
- Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
- Smriti Mandhana (VC)
- Priya Punia
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Harleen Deol
- Yastika Bhatia (WK)
- Richa Ghosh (WK)
- Tejal Hasabnis
- Deepti Sharma
- Minnu Mani
- Priya Mishra
- Radha Yadav
- Titas Sadhu
- Arundhati Reddy
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Saima Thakor
Stay tuned to the Board of Sports in India (BOSI) website for more updates on the India Women’s team and their preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
