Star batter misses out as India unveil their squad for Australia series
Young batter Shafali Verma misses out and all-rounder Harleen Deol returns from injury as India reveal their playing squad for next month's ODI series in Australia.
Harmanpreet Kaur will lead a strong India squad to Australia for next month's three-match ODI series.
The three match series is part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship, with India, the hosts (third) and Australia (first) having already qualified for next year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.
WATCH: Shafali in action at the recent T20 World Cup
Smriti Mandhana will provide Harmanpreet with support after she was named vice-captain for the three-game series that commences in Brisbane on December 5, while Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh are the two wicket-keeping options within the 16-player squad.
There is no room for young batter Shafali Verma, while inexperienced duo Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor get another chance to show their capabilities after impressing during the recent ODI series against New Zealand.
Shafali managed just 97 runs for India from four appearances at the recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup and compiled 56 runs from three innings in the ensuing series against the White Ferns.
All-rounder Harleen Deol is also in line for her first international match of 2024 after she was included in the squad, with the 26-year-old having battled a knee complaint for much of the year.
India's explosive opener Shafali Verma is one of five players selected by the ICC as 100% Cricket superstars
India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor
Series schedule:
First ODI: Brisbane, December 5
Second ODI: Brisbane, December 8
Third ODI: Perth, December 11