India have named their squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, retaining a strong core from the team that reached the Asia Cup final in July. Fourteen of the 15 players chosen for the World Cup were members of the Asia Cup squad, reflecting consistent thinking across India’s selectors. The only change is the replacement of wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry with Yastika Bhatia, whose selection is subject to her clearing a fitness test.
Yastika Bhatia, who had aggregated 160 runs as Mumbai Indians’ third-highest scorer in the WPL 2024, returns after an injury in the knee kept her out of action since April. Shreyanka Patil’s selection is subject to fitness as she suffered a fractured hand in the Asia Cup game against Pakistan. Patil continues to be an important part of India’s spin combination, which includes Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav.
Missing the cut in a notable omission, Tanuja Kanwar, who stood in for Patil at the Asia Cup, has not found a place in the World Cup set-up but she, too, will travel as a reserve. The list of reserves who will travel also includes Uma Chetry and fast bowler Saima Thakor while Raghvi Bist and Priya Mishra will be staying on standby as non-travelling replacements.
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur and with Smriti Mandhana as the vice-captain, India will look up to some of its senior players like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma for game-changing influence. Renuka Singh is likely to spearhead the fast-bowling unit supported by Pooja Vastrakar.
It would place India in Group A with other strong contenders like Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. India will begin their campaign against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai, followed by high-octane matches against traditional rivals Pakistan on October 6. The team has its eyes set on the first Women’s T20 World Cup title as the event comes to the UAE after being shifted from Bangladesh due to political unrest.
India squad for Women’s T20 World Cup
Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Yastika Bhatia* (wk), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, D Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil*, Sajeevan Sajana
Travelling reserves: Tanuja Kanwar, Uma Chetry, Saima Thakor. Non-travelling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra
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England Announce Squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Surprise Inclusions and Exclusions
