India have made one change to their squad for the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with teenage wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini replacing Yastika Bhatia. The remainder of the squad is largely unchanged from the team that exited the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at the group stage.
The 17-year-old Kamalini earns her place after an impressive Women’s Premier League campaign with Mumbai Indians. She has already made her international debut, featuring in one T20I for India. Bhatia, who played three matches during the Women’s T20 World Cup, scored 41 runs but misses out on the squad for the continental event.
India have also retained off-spin all-rounder Shreyanka Patil, subject to fitness clearance. Patil is recovering from the ankle ligament injury that cut short her World Cup campaign and will require medical approval before joining the squad. Leg-spinner Prema Rawat, who replaced Patil during the World Cup, has not been included for the Asian Games.
Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain. The squad also features Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, alongside Kamalini. Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav and Nandani Sharma complete the 15-member squad.
India will head into the tournament as defending champions after winning the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games. They will be aiming to retain the title against a competitive field that includes Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and hosts China.
The selection reflects continuity in India’s preparations while rewarding Kamalini’s recent performances with an opportunity on the continental stage. The inclusion of Shreyanka Patil, pending fitness, also provides a boost to India’s spin-bowling resources as they target another successful Asian Games campaign later this year.
Full Squad:
Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness clearance), Radha Yadav, Nandani Sharma.
