The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian women’s squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa, set to take place from April 27 to May 11, 2025, in Colombo. The announcement comes with notable changes in the lineup, as injuries have sidelined key players.
Fast bowlers Renuka Singh Thakur, Pooja Vastrakar, and Titas Sadhu have been ruled out of the series due to injuries, as confirmed by the BCCI in a press release. This development is a significant loss for the team, especially with Renuka having been a standout performer, taking 10 wickets in three matches during the ODI series against the West Indies in December 2024 and earning the Player of the Series award.
Harmanpreet Kaur returns to lead the women’s cricket team after missing the earlier home series against Ireland due to injury. She has been named captain for the tri-series, with Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain. The tournament will kick off with India facing the host nation, Sri Lanka, in the opening match at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
The selection committee has opted for a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, naming a 15-member squad that includes three uncapped players: Kashvee Gautam, N Shree Charani, and Shuchi Upadhyay. Kashvee, who was the leading wicket-taker in the WPL 2025, claimed 11 scalps in nine matches, showcasing her potential to make an impact on the international stage.
Charani, who has also been impressive in domestic competitions, took four wickets in just two games for the Delhi Capitals in the WPL, and Shuchi was named Player of the Tournament at the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, finishing with 18 wickets at an economy of 3.48. Their inclusion signals the selectors' intent to inject fresh talent into the squad.
Despite her outstanding performances in domestic cricket, including amassing 304 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 152.76 during the WPL 2025, Shafali Verma has not been included in the squad. This decision has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, as her exclusion follows a trend of missing out on recent international assignments.
The tri-series will see each team play four matches in a double round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final on May 11. All matches will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium, which will be buzzing with cricketing action over the course of the tournament.
India's squad for the tri-series is as follows: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Tejal Hasabnis, N Sree Charani, and Shuchi Upadhyay.
With the ICC Women’s World Cup looming later this year, the tri-series serves as crucial preparation for the Women in Blue. As they gear up for the tournament, all eyes will be on how the new faces adapt to the international stage and how the experienced players, led by Harmanpreet, perform under pressure.
The match against Sri Lanka on April 27 will be a litmus test for the squad as they aim to build momentum leading into the World Cup. Fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Harmanpreet Kaur, who has been a pivotal figure in Indian women’s cricket and will look to inspire her team to victory.
As the tournament approaches, the Indian women's cricket team faces the challenge of overcoming injuries while integrating new talent. The excitement is palpable as the team prepares to showcase their skills on an international platform, with hopes high for a successful outing in Sri Lanka.
