Shafali Verma has been omitted from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia
Dynamic opener Shafali Verma has been excluded from India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia.
Verma’s omission follows a string of low scores, including just 56 runs in the recent home series against New Zealand.
Her last half-century in the ODI format came in July 2022.
Another notable absentee from the 16-member squad is the highly-rated offspinner Shreyanka Patil, who missed out on a place in the playing XI during the New Zealand series due to shin splints.
Patil had also been sidelined with a hand injury prior to making her comeback in the T20 World Cup.
D. Hemalatha, Uma Chetry, and Sayali Satgare are the other players who have been left out from the squad that defeated New Zealand.
Squad:
| Player Name |
|---|
| 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 |
Meanwhile, India’s travelling contingent for the upcoming series in Australia will see the return of Harleen Deol, who last played for India in December 2023.
Deol had been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained while playing for Gujarat Giants, which limited her participation to just three WPL matches this year and required a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation period.
Richa Ghosh also makes her comeback to the squad after missing the New Zealand series due to her Grade 12 board exams.
However, there is no return yet for legspinner Asha Sobhana and seamer Pooja Vastrakar, who both missed the New Zealand series due to injuries sustained during the T20 World Cup.
In a notable move, the selectors have rewarded Minnu Mani with her maiden call-up to the ODI squad, while fast bowler Titas Sadhu also earns a place.
The 20-year-old Sadhu, who was an unused member of last year’s ODI squad against Australia, impressed in the opening T20I of the series in Navi Mumbai, where she claimed a remarkable 4 for 17.
Sadhu also featured in two T20Is against Bangladesh earlier this year but was later sidelined with an injury that required treatment at the NCA.
Mani, who captained India A to a 2-1 series loss against Australia A in August, earned her spot due to her all-round performances.
She scored 62 runs and picked up four wickets at a commendable economy rate in the three-match series.
Tejal Hasabnis retains her place in the squad after playing a crucial knock of 42 in the first ODI against New Zealand, which helped India recover from early trouble and post a competitive total.
Priya Puniya, who last featured in a home ODI against South Africa and also played in Australia with the India A side, has been recalled to the squad.
Series Schedule:
| DATE | MATCHES | VENUES |
|---|---|---|
| December 5 | 1st ODI | Allan Border Field, Brisbane |
| December 8 | 2nd ODI | Allan Border Field, Brisbane |
| December 11 | 3rd ODI | WACA, Perth |
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