Indian Women’s Squad Announced : India has officially announced its squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, set to begin next week. The series, which will be held in Ahmedabad, will see Harmanpreet Kaur continue as captain of the Indian women’s team. This comes after India’s early exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, and the team is keen to make a strong comeback. The selection committee has included some fresh faces in the squad, as four uncapped players have been given their first opportunity to represent the national team.
Indian Women’s Squad Announced
Harmanpreet Kaur Retained as Captain
The announcement of Harmanpreet Kaur as captain is a vote of confidence from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Women’s Selection Committee, despite India’s underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet’s leadership experience and her role as one of India’s top players have earned her another shot at leading the team in this crucial series. She will be looking to inspire the squad and bounce back from recent setbacks with strong performances against New Zealand.
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In terms of leadership support, Smriti Mandhana has been retained as the vice-captain. Mandhana’s presence as the deputy adds a balance of experience and youth to the squad, as she has established herself as one of the most consistent performers for India in recent years. Her ability to anchor the innings and her proficiency in both formats of the game make her a valuable asset to the team. Indian Women’s Squad Announced
Four Uncapped Players Get Their First Opportunity
One of the most notable aspects of the squad announcement is the inclusion of four uncapped players—Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, and Shreyanka Patil. These players have been rewarded for their performances in domestic cricket and have the potential to make an impact on the international stage. The selectors’ decision to bring in fresh talent is a strategic move, possibly aimed at building a squad for the future while giving these players crucial exposure.
Among these debutants, Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor have shown exceptional skills in the domestic circuit. Priya Mishra, a talented all-rounder, and Shreyanka Patil, a promising young bowler, will also be looking to make their mark in the upcoming series. This combination of fresh talent and seasoned players like Harmanpreet and Mandhana should provide a dynamic balance to the team. Indian Women’s Squad Announced
Richa Ghosh and Pooja Vastrakar Out of the Series
Two key players, Richa Ghosh and Pooja Vastrakar, will miss the series due to personal reasons and injury, respectively. Richa Ghosh, who has been an important wicketkeeper-batter for the Indian team, will be sitting out of the series as she has to appear for her 12th board exams. In her absence, the wicketkeeping duties will fall to either Yastika Bhatia or Uma Chhetri, both of whom are capable replacements.
Meanwhile, Pooja Vastrakar, who sustained an injury during the tournament in the UAE, has been rested to allow her time to recover. Vastrakar’s absence will be felt, as she is a key all-rounder who has contributed significantly with both bat and ball in recent matches. However, the selectors have shown faith in the younger players to step up in her absence. Indian Women’s Squad Announced
The Squad Composition
The Indian women’s squad for the series against New Zealand is a blend of youth and experience. In addition to the uncapped players, the team retains the services of seasoned campaigners like Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav, who have been instrumental in India’s success over the years. Indian Women’s Squad Announced
Here is the full squad:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Shafali Verma
- D Hemalatha
- Deepti Sharma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Yastika Bhatia (Wicketkeeper)
- Uma Chhetri (Wicketkeeper)
- Sayali Satgare
- Arundhati Reddy
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Tejal Hasabnis
- Saima Thakor
- Priya Mishra
- Radha Yadav
- Shreyanka Patil
Series Schedule and Venue
The three-match ODI series will take place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which has hosted numerous high-profile cricket matches over the years. The series is crucial for India as it serves as part of their preparations for upcoming global events. With New Zealand being a competitive side, these matches will be a good test for the Indian squad and an opportunity to fine-tune their strategy and form. Indian Women’s Squad Announced
Here’s the schedule for the series:
- 24 October 2024 – 1:30 PM – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- 27 October 2024 – 1:30 PM – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- 29 October 2024 – 1:30 PM – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
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Conclusion: A Fresh Start for India
The ODI series against New Zealand represents a new beginning for the Indian women’s team after a disappointing run in the T20 World Cup. With Harmanpreet Kaur at the helm and the inclusion of young, uncapped players, India will be hoping to build momentum and regain their winning form. The absence of key players like Richa Ghosh and Pooja Vastrakar presents an opportunity for others to step up and prove themselves on the international stage. Indian Women’s Squad Announced
As fans eagerly await the start of the series, all eyes will be on how the team performs under the renewed leadership of Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana. With a mix of experience and youth, India will be aiming for nothing less than a series victory against New Zealand. Indian Women’s Squad Announced
