IND-W vs AUS-W: Shafali Verma Dropped as India Women Announce Squad For ODI Series in Australia

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Young opener Shafali Verma was omitted as India women on Tuesday (November 19) announced their squad for the upcoming tour to Australia, where they will play three ODIs, starting from December 5.

Verma misses out from the squad, having managed just 97 runs for India from four appearances at the recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup followed by just 56 runs from three innings in the home ODI series against New Zealand.

While the 20-year-old does not feature in the squad that will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, batter Harleen Deol has recovered from an injury and has returned to the side, having battled a knee complaint for much of 2024.

Inexperienced duo Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor get another chance to show their capabilities after impressing during the recent ODI series against the White Ferns. The 20-year-old Priya Mishra also has retained her spot following her maiden appearance last month.

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.

Priya Punia is likely to open the batting alongside Mandhana, while Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh Thakur make up the rest of the squad. Here is a look at the Indian squad for the Australia tour:

India women's ODI squad vs Australia

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

The three-match ODI series will kick off on December 5 with a day-night encounter at the Allan Border Field, Brisbane, where the second ODI will be played as a day match on December 8 before the series concludes on December 11 at the WACA Ground in Perth. Here is the full schedule:

IND-W vs AUS-W ODI Series schedule

• First ODI: Brisbane, December 5, Thursday - 9:50 AM IST
• Second ODI: Brisbane, December 8, Sunday - 5:15 AM IST
• Third ODI: Perth, December 11, Wednesday - 9:50 AM IST