Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the Indian women's cricket team at this year's Asian Games in Japan, with the BCCI's Women's Selection Committee retaining her as captain despite India's disappointing early exit from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England.
The selectors on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4. India's World Cup campaign came to an end on Sunday after the team failed to progress beyond the group stage following a defeat to Australia.
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India will head into the continental event as the defending champions, having won the gold medal at the previous edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023. Star opener Smriti Mandhana has been retained as vice-captain and will continue to serve as Harmanpreet's deputy.
The only change from the World Cup squad sees wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia omitted, with young wicketkeeper G Kamalini earning a place in the 15-member squad. All-rounder Shreyanka Patil, who suffered an ankle injury during the T20 World Cup and was ruled out midway through the tournament, has also been included. However, her participation in the Asian Games will depend on receiving fitness clearance before the competition.
India's batting unit will once again revolve around experienced campaigners Harmanpreet, Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Deepti Sharma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Arundhati Reddy and Nandni Sharma, with additional support from the team's all-rounders and spin options.
India squad for the 2026 Asian Games
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and Nandni Sharma.
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