India squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 announced; WPL stars included in the team

India's squad has been announced for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the team while Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as the vice-captain of the team.

The tournament will be played in the UAE after the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to shift it from Bangladesh due to the imperfect political situation in the country. The ICC recently announced the dates and the venues for the tournament.

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India squad announced for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024

As expected, Harmanpreet Kaur has been appointed the team's captain. The squad has a strong flavor of both experience and youth. There are no big surprises in the squad except from a few Women's Premier League (WPL) stars, who have been rewarded for their performances in the WPL.

Those stars are Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, and Sajeevan Sajana. While Sobhana and Patil represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL, Sajeevan Sajana plays for Mumbai Indians and impressed with her big-hitting ability.

Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana were the top two-wicket takers of WPL 2024. Patil picked up 13 wickets in eight matches at an average of 12.07 while Sobhana picked up 12 wickets in ten innings at an average of 15.41.

🚨 NEWS 🚨

Presenting #TeamIndia's squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 🙌 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/KetQXVsVLX

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 27, 2024

A strong batting order

There will be responsibility on the experienced opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma to provide India a good start at the top. The duo has been together for quite some time now and were in fine touch in the T20I series against South Africa and the Women's Asia Cup 2024.

The middle order looks solid with the presence of Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Dayalan Hemalatha. It remains to be seen whether India sticks to Dayalan Hemalatha at No. 3. If she makes it to the Playing XI, Jemimah Rodrigues will bat at No. 5, where she batted in the Women's Asia Cup 2024 as well.

Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh has shown good form with the bat recently and will be crucial to India's chances, especially in the death overs. Ghosh has the unique ability to hit the ball hard and can clear the fence with ease.

A dependable bowling attack

The bowling attack will be led by Renuka Singh Thakur, who is likely to take up the new ball alongside Pooja Vastrakar, who has been in good form recently. It depends on the conditions whether India opts for a third seamer or they go with an extra spinner.

India have some high-quality spinners in the squad as well in the form of Radha Yadav, Asha Sobhana, and Shreyanka Patil. Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma can also roll their arm over for some part-time spin bowling.

Meanwhile, Yastika Bhatia and Shreyanka Patil are making a comeback into the team after missing the Asia Cup 2024 due to injuries. Both the players have included in the squad subject to fitness clearance.

The tournament will be played in Dubai and Sharjah, India will open its campaign on October 4 with a match against New Zealand. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash will be on October 6 in Dubai.

India squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk)*, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil*, Sajeevan Sajana.

Travelling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwar, Saima Thakor.