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Harmanpreet Kaur To Captain As BCCI Announces India Squad For ODIs Vs New Zealand

Harmanpreet Kaur to lead IND-W vs NZ-W in the upcoming ODI series [Sourcce: @BCCIWomen/x.com]Harmanpreet Kaur to lead IND-W vs NZ-W in the upcoming ODI series [Sourcce: @BCCIWomen/x.com]

India Women's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday. In what has been a decision fraught with speculation, the selection committee reaffirmed Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy despite criticism following India’s recent early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

With high stakes and ample room to prove their mettle, the Indian squad stands at the brink of a fresh opportunity to reclaim dominance in international cricket.

Harmanpreet Kaur Retains the Reins

After India’s lacklustre performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, rumours did the rounds about Harmanpreet Kaur’s potential sacking as skipper. However, the selectors opted to stick to their guns, trusting Harmanpreet’s leadership skills for this crucial series.

Backed by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, the captain will lead India on home soil at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium in a crucial ICC Women's Championship series against New Zealand.

Alongside experienced campaigners like Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues, the squad includes emerging names such as Sayali Satgare and Priya Mishra, who have shown promise.

Notably, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh is unavailable for this series, as she is tackling a different kind of test – her 12th standard board exams. Additionally, Asha Sobhana is nursing an injury, while the selectors have opted to rest seasoned all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar.


India Women squad for New Zealand ODI series

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.

Building Momentum for the World Cup

With India set to host the Women’s ODI World Cup in a few months, this ODI series against New Zealand is more than just a dress rehearsal. It’s an opportunity for India Women to sharpen their skills, fine-tune strategies, and set a formidable foundation for the tournament.

The stakes are equally high for New Zealand’s women’s team, who are eyeing qualification for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. With only four teams – India, Australia, South Africa, and England – having qualified, New Zealand is under pressure to secure points in the ICC Women’s Championship standings.

Meanwhile, as Team India gears up for battle, fans can look forward to a spirited contest, and the players have their work cut out for them. For Harmanpreet and her team, it’s time to put their best foot forward and leave no stone unturned. The road to redemption starts now – and they will determined to hit it out of the park and move on from the Women's T20 World Cup disaster.