Indian squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup announced

In what one would call a dream come true, after an agonising wait of 14 long months, seasoned medium pacer, Shikha Pandey will be returning to the Indian team as BCCI announced the women’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup slated to be played in South Africa in February and the upcoming tri-series between India, South Africa and West Indies.

There were a lot of speculations about Shikha’s return when she had a fine domestic season for Goa and then went onto inspire India D to lift the Challengers Trophy. Unfortunately, it seemed that the management needed something a lot more solid that her persistence. 

With Jhulan Goswami retired, Renuka Singh Thakur will be needing support to help India challenge for the bigger silverwares. Renuka’s solitary efforts against Australia weren’t enough for the Indian bowling unit to craft a solid response against the mighty Aussies.

For an event as imperative as the World Cup, the selectors wanted Shikha’s experience while Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar continued to be a part of the side. Apart from the T20 World Cup, BCCI also announced the team line-up for the upcoming tri-series against West Indies and South Africa in the latter’s home ground.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup, the Indian women will be battling South Africa and West Indies in a T20I tri-series which will be the final chapter of preparations for the Women in Blue. For the South Africa and West Indies tri-series, Sushma Verma will be coming to this battle as Richa Ghosh will be occupied with the U19 World Cup.

Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the Indian contingent in both the tournament while she will have one of India’s finest batters, Smriti Mandhana deputising for her.

India’s squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk) Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Anjali Sarvani, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha Pandey

India’s squad for Tri-series: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice Captain), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Shushma Verma (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Sabbhineni Meghana, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey