India name women’s squad for Asian Games

 India have announced the women’s team that will play in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou that will be held from September 19 to October 8.

India have named a strong squad led by regular T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur for the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Smriti Mandhana will be Harmanpreet’s deputy as the team aims to win a medal at the Asian Games. The side had won the Silver medal at the Commonwealth Games last year.

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The squad features a few changes from the one that played Bangladesh recently. Notably, Richa Ghosh returns to take the gloves with Yastika Bhatia not finding a place among the 15 in the squad and five on standby.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who was left out from the squad for the Bangladesh series, also returns. 

Sabbhineni Meghana, who was in the squad for the Bangladesh series, has been left out while the likes of Meghna Singh, Monica Patel and Rashi Kanojiya also not finding a place in the squad.

Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar and Harleen Deol are among the standby players as is left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque, who made a profound impact in the Women’s Premier League.

18-year-old pacer Titas Sadhu, who shone in the inaugural Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup earlier this year, earns a maiden call-up to the squad as does all-rounder Kanika Ahuja.

Offspin allrounder Minnu Mani, who impressed with five wickets in the T20I series against Bangladesh, keeps her place in the squad.

Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Devika Vaidya, Anjali Sarvani, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Minnu Mani, Kanika Ahuja, Uma Chetry (wk), Anusha Bareddy

Standby list of players: Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar