Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh who were earlier set to miss out on the 5th T20 International between India and Australia will now be available for the clash. Both of them were due to report to Bangalore for a women’s U-19 camp ahead of the inaugural ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup but they will now join the squad after the conclusion of the series which Australia have already won.
India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed the development after the 4th T20I. “They will now play the whole series and then join the camp,” she was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
Their presence will boost the team which will be looking to win the final game and salvage some pride. Both Verma and Ghosh have been in good touch in the series. Verma got a half-century in the third game and also got starts in all the other games. Ghosh, on the other hand, has been simply outstanding, playing impactful knocks in three of the four games. Her runs have come at a remarkable strike rate of 190.74 and her finishing touches have allowed India to compete against the mighty Aussies.
Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh who were earlier set to miss out on the 5th T20I between India and Australia will now be available for the clash.
More fireworks from Richa then tomorrow? #CricketTwitter #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/JnkLQFVzu4
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 19, 2022
The U-19 setup will be delighted with the form of the two youngsters who were surprised inclusions in the side. While the U-19 team has been putting in the hard yards for the upcoming challenge, Ghosh and Verma have not been a part of the preparations and therefore, it is of paramount importance that they spend as much time as possible with the team, especially Verma, who will be leading the team.
As far as the ongoing India-Australia series is concerned, the visitors lead the series 3-1 with the 5th T20I to be played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, 20 December. India will look to end the series on a positive note as the team prepares for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. The senior side will next be seen in a tri-series against West Indies and South Africa just before the World Cup.