Harmanpreet Kaur has been retained as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on October 24, 2024, in Ahmedabad.
Despite questions surrounding her leadership following India’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, the selectors have decided to stick with Harmanpreet as the team begins its preparations for the 2025 ODI World Cup, which India will host.
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh will miss the series as it coincides with her 12th-grade board exams, while all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has been rested and Asha Sobhana is sidelined due to injury.
The Indian squad for the New Zealand series includes four uncapped players who have earned their call-ups following strong performances for India A in Australia.
Tejal Hasabnis, Sayali Satgare, Priya Mishra, and Saima Thakor, who have featured in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), will have the opportunity to make their mark at the international level.
Smriti Mandhana, named as vice-captain, will be looking to regain form after a quiet T20 World Cup. Batter Uma Chetry, who has played four T20 Internationals, is also in the squad and could make her ODI debut during the series.
All three matches will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India’s squad for the 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.