Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh will miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand as she prepares for her class 12 board exams. Recently turning 21, Ghosh has been an integral part of India’s international setup since 2020, and the team will feel her absence as they prepare for the three-match series in Ahmedabad starting October 24.
India’s squad will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, whose captaincy has faced scrutiny after the team’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup in the UAE. The team’s defeat against New Zealand in their opening game significantly contributed to their early exit, raising questions about her leadership and the overall team performance.
Along with Ghosh, leg-spinner Asha Sobhana will miss the series due to an injury, and the BCCI has confirmed that all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar will rest. “Ms. Richa Ghosh was unavailable for selection due to her 12th standard board exams. Ms. Asha Sobhana is currently nursing an injury and was unavailable for selection. “The BCCI statement confirmed that Ms. Pooja Vastrakar will rest for the series,” read the statement.
Despite these setbacks, the squad features fresh talent with four maiden ODI call-ups: seam-bowling all-rounders Sayali Satghare and Saima Thakor, leg-spinner Priya Mishra, and middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis. With a mix of experience and emerging talent, India aims to regain momentum and answer their critics as they face a strong New Zealand side.
India’s Squad for the ODI Series Against New Zealand: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil.
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