In a significant development for Indian women’s cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the names of the players set to compete in the upcoming T20 International series and two Test matches against England. Leading the charge will be captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who retains her leadership role across both formats, with Smriti Mandhana serving as the vice-captain.
The announcement has been eagerly awaited by fans and players alike, particularly in light of the inclusion of new talents and the comeback of seasoned athletes. Making headlines are the Women’s Premier League sensations Saika Ishaque and Shreyanka Patil, both receiving their first call-ups to the national team. Ishaque’s remarkable performance has earned her a spot in both squads, while the renowned pacer Renuka Singh Thakur stages a return following her injury.
The squad also features domestic cricket standouts like Titas Sadhu and Minnu Mani, who have secured their positions alongside core team members such as Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, and Richa Ghosh. The Test team sees additions like Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Meghna Singh, who have proven their mettle in domestic circuits.
Scheduled to commence on December 6, the three-match T20 series provides an initial platform for the Indian team to display their prowess. Following this, the action will move to a single Test match held from December 14-17 in Navi Mumbai. The squad will then move on to a clash with Australia in a single Test at the Wankhede Stadium from December 21-24. This Test engagement is to be followed by three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals between the Indian and Australian teams.
For the Indian women’s cricket team, this series marks the first international outing since the Asian Games. Although some players have been engaged in domestic cricket, and a few like Shreyanka Patil and Harmanpreet Kaur have showcased their talents in overseas leagues, the team now converges as a single unit after a hiatus of two months.
Taking a closer look at the squads, the dynamic composition reflects the BCCI’s commitment to blending experience with emerging talent. The T20I team features a good mixture of agility in batting and strategic bowling choices. The line-up includes:
India squad for England T20Is: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Mannat Kashyap, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Pooja Vastrakar, Kanika Ahuja, Minnu Mani.
The Test squad introduces fresh talent into the mix while keeping a strong backbone of experienced cricketers. This balanced approach will be critical for the long-format games against England and Australia. The players selected are:
India squad for England and Australia Tests: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Shubha Satheesh, Harleen Deol, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar.
The forthcoming series offer a platform for young talent to flourish and for experienced players to cement their legacy in Indian women’s cricket. As the Indian women’s cricket team gears up for these crucial encounters, fans await the performances that will determine the future trajectory of women’s cricket in India.