‘India A’ Women’s Squad for multi-format series against ‘Australia A’ announced, Minnu Mani to lead

The Indian Women’s Selection Committee announced the composition of the 18-member India ‘A’ squad for the upcoming multi-format tour of Australia. This squad will participate in a series of three T20s and an equal number of 50-over matches, followed by a 4-day match against Australia A.

After leading India ‘A’ in a series against England ‘A’ last winter, all-rounder Minnu Mani (25) will continue to lead the young ‘A’ squad. A consistent performer across formats in the domestic setup, she also made an impact in the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) and has a few international games under her belt.

Shweta Sehrawat, 20, will serve as her deputy. Though missed out on selection for the ‘A’ series against England, Sehrawat had a successful 2023-24 domestic season, highlighted by a record 242-run innings, making her the first to score a double century in Women’s List A cricket. She previously served as vice-captain for India at the inaugural U19 World Cup in 2023 and continued to impress as an opening batter from the domestic games to the World Cup.

India’s most recent debutant keeper-batter, Uma Chetry, who also featured in the ‘A’ series against England late last year on home soil, is also part of the squad. Other familiar names in the ‘A’ team include top-order batters Priya Punia and Shubha Satheesh, hard-hitting all-rounder Sajana Sajeevan, left-arm off-spinner Saika Ishaque, left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap, 20, all-rounder Tanuja Kanwar, and pacers Meghna Singh and Shabnam Shakil (17).

Maharashtra’s Tejal Hasabnis (26) receives a long-overdue selection following several successful stints in domestic and T20 league cricket. Mumbai’s standout duo of bowling all-rounder Sayali Satghare, after a notable 2023-24 domestic season, and Saima Thakor, though as a standby, further strengthen the squad.

Other notable selections from the 2023-24 domestic season include Delhi’s leg-spinner Priya Mishra, the leading wicket-taker in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy, who also secured a spot with the Gujarat Giants in the WPL. Uttarakhand’s Raghavi Bisht has also earned a deserving opportunity on the back of her mature performances with the bat and useful contributions with the ball during the recent domestic season.

Squad:

Minnu Mani (C), Shweta Sehrawat (VC), Priya Punia, Shubha Satheesh, Tejal Hasabnis, Kiran Navgire, Sajana Sajeevan, Uma Chetry (Wk), Shipra Giri (Wk), Raghavi Bisht, Saika Ishaque, Mannat Kashyap, Tanuja Kanwar, Priya Mishra, Meghna Singh, Sayali Satghare, Shabnam Shakeel*, S. Yashasri

Shabnam Shakeel has also been included but her selection is subject to fitness. The 27-year-old fast bowler Saima Thakor has been added to the squad on standby.

🚨 BREAKING!! 🚨

India A Women’s Squad for multi-format series against Australia A announced

Minnu Mani (C), Shweta Sehrawat (VC), Priya Punia, Shubha Satheesh, Tejal Hasabnis, Kiran Navgire, Sajana Sajeevan, Uma Chetry (Wk), Shipra Giri (Wk), Raghavi Bisht, Saika Ishaque,… pic.twitter.com/SK36SDGFqd

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 14, 2024

The multi-format tour is scheduled to commence on August 7th, 2024, kicking off with three T20 matches at Allan Border Field (ABF) in Brisbane. Following this, the series moves to Mackay for the three 50-over matches. The tour will culminate with a 4-day encounter between the two teams hosted in Gold Coast.

Schedule: