On Saturday, July 6, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a significant announcement regarding India’s squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024. The highly anticipated tournament is set to take place in Sri Lanka, commencing on July 19. However, one of the highlights of this announcement was the exclusion of Mumbai Indians’ spinner Saika Ishaque from the main squad, although she has been named among the reserves.
Saika Ishaque’s absence from the key lineup has raised several eyebrows in the cricketing community. The 28-year-old spinner, who made a noteworthy international debut last December, has been in splendid form. Her notable performances in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 for the champions Mumbai Indians earned her significant praise. Ishaque managed to secure five wickets across three T20Is for India but was evidently not part of the ongoing T20I series against South Africa.
As the tournament draws closer, BCCI has finalized a balanced and formidable 15-member squad for this ninth edition of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Led by the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, the squad will also feature some of the most prominent names in women’s cricket. Star players such as Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma retain their positions, providing the team with the much-needed stability and experience.
The squad selection didn’t fail to surprise cricket enthusiasts with Amanjot Kaur and Shabnam Shakil’s omissions. Both players were part of the squad in the T20I series against South Africa but did not make the cut for the Asia Cup this time around. This decision hints at the selectors’ confidence in the core group’s ability to retain the prestigious title.
Here is the India Squad for the Women’s Asia Cup 2024:
– Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
– Smriti Mandhana (VC)
– Shafali Verma
– Deepti Sharma
– Jemimah Rodrigues
– Richa Ghosh (WK)
– Uma Chetry (WK)
– Pooja Vastrakar
– Arundhati Reddy
– Renuka Singh Thakur
– Dayalan Hemalatha
– Asha Sobhana
– Radha Yadav
– Shreyanka Patil
– Sajana Sajeevan
In addition to Saika Ishaque, the traveling reserves for the squad include Shweta Sehrawat, Tanuja Kanwer, and Meghna Singh.
. Their inclusion as reserves ensures a strategic backup plan for any unforeseen circumstances during the tournament.
India has been seeded into Group A, where they will face Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and archrivals Pakistan. The Women in Blue will kick off their title defense against Pakistan at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on July 19. The previous edition saw India clinch the title by defeating Sri Lanka in the final match held in 2022. India historically has been dominant in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, winning seven out of the eight editions thus far, and they are once again stepping into the tournament as the clear favorites.
As the defending champions, the Indian team is under immense pressure to perform and uphold their legacy. The squad has a perfect blend of youth and experience, which is expected to play a crucial role in determining their success in Sri Lanka. Players like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Renuka Singh Thakur, who have consistently delivered commendable performances, will be key in India’s journey throughout the tournament.
In related cricket news, South Africa’s Tazmin Brits led her team to a thrilling victory over India in the T20I series opener. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe recently stunned India, reasserting the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Additionally, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar received a rousing reception at Wimbledon, further signifying the interconnected nature of global sports.
The BCCI’s announcement has set the stage for what promises to be another exhilarating edition of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Fans eagerly await to see how Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad fare against their competitors as they aim to add yet another title to India’s impressive cricketing achievements.
