The Women's Selection Committee has retained Harmanpreet Kaur as India captain for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, despite the team's disappointing early exit from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England. The 15-member squad for the Asian Games, scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, was announced on Tuesday.
World Cup exit and Asian Games preparation
India's World Cup campaign ended on Sunday after a group-stage loss to Australia, leading to an earlier-than-expected elimination. However, the selectors have shown faith in Harmanpreet's leadership, retaining her at the helm. The Indian women's team enters the Asian Games as defending champions, having won the gold medal in the previous edition in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.
Squad changes and key inclusions
Smriti Mandhana will continue as vice-captain. The only change from the World Cup squad is the omission of wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, replaced by G Kamalini. Shreyanka Patil, who was ruled out of the World Cup due to an ankle injury, has been included subject to fitness clearance.
Harmanpreet will lead a strong batting lineup featuring Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, and Nandni Sharma.
Full squad for 2026 Asian Games
- Harmanpreet Kaur (captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Deepti Sharma
- Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper)
- G Kamalini (wicketkeeper)
- Bharti Fulmali
- Sree Charani
- Renuka Thakur
- Kranti Gaud
- Arundhati Reddy
- Shreyanka Patil
- Radha Yadav
- Nandni Sharma
