The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced a 15-member women’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games, with Harmanpreet Kaur set to captain the defending champions in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, this September.
India Asian Games 2026 Squad:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness clearance), Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma
While the squad largely retains the core that featured in the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, two selection decisions stand out. All-rounder Shreyanka Patil has been included subject to fitness clearance after her injury setback, while wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has missed out despite only recently returning to the national side for the T20 World Cup.
Bhatia had earned a recall after recovering from a long-term injury and featured during India’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. However, the selectors opted to continue with youngster G. Kamalini as the second wicketkeeper behind first-choice Richa Ghosh. Kamalini who suffered an injury during the WPL was sidelined but is recalled now, suggesting the selectors remain keen on investing in the promising youngster.
India head into the Asian Games as defending champions after winning the country’s first women’s cricket gold medal at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou. Harmanpreet’s side defeated Sri Lanka in the final to finish atop the podium and will once again be among the favourites when cricket returns in the T20 format in Japan.
The batting unit continues to revolve around an experienced core of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet, with Deepti Sharma expected to play her customary all-round role and Bharti Fulmali to provide batting depth and do the finishing duties. Richa Ghosh remains India’s first-choice wicketkeeper, while Kamalini provides an additional option behind the stumps.
The bowling attack combines experience with youth. Renuka Thakur will spearhead the pace department alongside Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud and Nandni Sharma while the spin attack features Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav and left-arm spinner Sree Charani, who has established herself in the national setup over the past year. Shreyanka’s inclusion will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the Games.
The off-spinning all-rounder was ruled out midway through the Women’s T20 World Cup because of injury, a setback that India felt throughout the tournament. Following India’s exit from the World Cup, head coach Amol Muzumdar acknowledged the impact of her absence, describing Shreyanka as one of India’s strike bowlers and admitting the team had “really missed her” during the defeat to Australia.
Apart from Bhatia’s omission and Patil’s conditional inclusion, the selectors have largely backed continuity despite India’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. The squad reflects faith in the established leadership group while continuing to provide opportunities to emerging players who have impressed over the past year.
The women’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will be held from September 17-22, with Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand competing for the gold medal. India will travel to Aichi-Nagoya aiming to successfully defend their Asian Games crown and add another gold medal to an already impressive record in continental competition.
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