Shafali Verma kicked out as India Women’s squad for Australia tour gets announced

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday (November 19) announced the India Women’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. This three-match ODI series is part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship, with both India and Australia already securing their spots in next year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

The first two ODIs of Australia vs India series are scheduled to be played at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on December 5 and 8, respectively, with the third and final ODI match slated for the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Ground in Perth on December 11.

BCCI announces India Women’s squad for the ODI series against Australia

Smriti Mandhana will continue as the vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. Mandhana will support the Indian women’s cricket team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, in leading the 16-member squad, which features two wicketkeeping options: Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh.

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Richa Ghosh, the Indian women's wicketkeeper-batter known for her aggressive batting and sharp skills behind the stumps, makes her return to the national squad after missing the ODI series against New Zealand due to her board exams. Richa’s comeback strengthens India’s lower middle order and provides an alternative to Yastika Bhatia in the keeping role.

In a surprising move, young Indian batting sensation Shafali Verma has been left out of the ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour. The BCCI has not issued an official explanation behind Shafali’s omission, but it is speculated that her recent struggles with form influenced the decision.

Shafali Verma dropped from Indian women's cricket team for Australia tour

Shafali Verma scored only 97 runs in four matches during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 and followed it with 56 runs from three innings in the recent series against New Zealand. Well, it remains questionable whether she was dropped for her poor batting show or she was given a break.

Meanwhile, Harleen Deol is set to make her return to the Indian women’s cricket team after nearly a year. The 26-year-old all-rounder had been sidelined for much of the year 2024 due to a knee injury, but she will now be back in action in Australia for the upcoming three-match ODI series.

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The upcoming ODI series will provide a valuable opportunity for Indian players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol to showcase their talent and make a big impact on Australian soil. The young bowlers Titas Sadhu and Minnu Mani will also be eager to impress on the upcoming Australia tour.

The BCCI stated in a media release: “The Women’s Selection Committee has picked the Team India (Senior Women) squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. The first two ODIs will be held at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane before the action shifts to WACA Ground, Perth, for the final match of the series, which is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship.”

India’s ODI squad for Australia tour:

Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor.