Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the India women’s cricket team in an upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand as the Women’s Selection Committee announced the 16-member India squad on Thursday for the same. Harmanpreet’s future as India captain had been reportedly thrown into doubt following the Women in Blue's group stage exit from the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup.
However, as it turns out, the selection committee has kept faith in the 35-year-old for now. The three India-New Zealand women’s ODIs will be played on 24, 27 and 29 October, with all matches taking place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
“The Women’s Selection Committee has picked India’s 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match IDFC FIRST Bank ODI home series against New Zealand,” the BCCI said in a statement.
The statement adds that wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh is unavailable for the series as she his due to appear for her 12th standard board examinations. Asha Sobhana also remains unavailable due to an injury. “Asha Sobhana is currently nursing an injury and was unavailable for selection,” mentioned the statement, while also stating that Pooja Vastrakar has been rested.
India’s squad for the three ODI series against New Zealand: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil.