The Indian Women's Cricket team will embark on a tour of England at the end of June, where they will play a crucial limited-overs series against the hosts. The tour comprises a five-match T20 International (T20I) series and a three-match One Day International (ODI) series.
Sports News: The Indian Women's Cricket team will depart for England at the end of June to play a five-match T20 and a three-match ODI series against the hosts. The BCCI has announced the Indian women's team for this much-anticipated tour. Harmanpreet Kaur has once again been appointed captain for both limited-overs series, while veteran opener Smriti Mandhana will serve as vice-captain.
The England tour is a crucial part of the Indian team's preparations for this year's ODI World Cup. Overall, this tour is not just a bilateral series but a fantastic opportunity to test strategy, combinations, and future plans.
Team Combination: A Blend of Experience and Youthful Energy
The announced squad reflects the team management's attempt to strike a balance. While experienced players have been retained, some young and talented faces have also been given a chance. The T20 team sees the return of Shafali Verma and Sneha Rana, who will strengthen the team in both batting and bowling departments. Shafali's aggressive batting and Rana's all-round capabilities could prove valuable assets.
This selection process prominently considered players' form in domestic matches and the Women's Premier League (WPL). Several young players impressed the selectors with their WPL performances and will now get a chance to make their mark on the international stage.
Absence of Renuka Singh and Sneh Rana a Major Concern
The team's biggest setback is the absence of fast bowler Renuka Singh and spin all-rounder Sneh Rana. Both players are struggling with injuries, and the selectors decided not to risk their inclusion until they are fully fit. Renuka Singh has spearheaded the Indian team's bowling attack in recent years, and her absence could slightly weaken the bowling unit.
Meanwhile, Sneh Rana had a stellar performance for RCB in the WPL, but injuries have kept her out of the international team consistently. It will be interesting to see if both players can recover and return to the team before the upcoming World Cup.
T20 Series: Commencing June 28th
The England tour will begin on June 28th when the two teams face off in the first T20 match. The selected T20 squad boasts a good mix of explosive batters and useful all-rounders. The presence of players like Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Poonam Yadav indicates the team's strength.
The ODI series will commence on July 16th. This series is considered even more crucial in the context of the World Cup, as it allows players to showcase their temperament and technical abilities. The selected ODI team includes a relatively larger number of experienced players to maintain balance and strategic clarity.
Indian Women's Team Squad
T20 Team: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (Wicket-keeper), Yastika Bhatia (Wicket-keeper), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneha Rana, S. Chani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gauḍ and Sayali Satghare.
ODI Team: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Pratima Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (Wicket-keeper), Yastika Bhatia (Wicket-keeper), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneha Rana, S. Chani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gauḍ and Sayali Satghare.
