Shafali Verma dropped for Australia ODIs; Richa Ghosh, Priya Punia return

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Shafali Verma dropped for Australia ODIs; Richa Ghosh, Priya Punia return

Opener Shafali Verma has been dropped from India’s squad for the three ODIs on the tour of Australia on account of a poor run of kind, whereas wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh has returned to the aspect after lacking the house ODIs in opposition to New Zealand on account of her board exams.

There have been call-ups for batters Priya Punia, batting allrounder Harleen Deol, offspinner Minnu Mani, and quick bowler Titas Sadhu, who’re all a part of the 16-member squad for the three ODIs in Brisbane and Perth on December 5, 8 and 11.

Shafali has not been capable of crack ODIs for a while now – she has simply 108 runs at a median of 18 in six video games this 12 months. The final time she was dropped within the 50-over format – after the primary of the three-match sequence in opposition to Australia at residence in December 2023 – Yastika Bhatia opened the batting with Smriti Mandhana, whereas Ghosh batted at No. 3. In Shafali’s absence, Yastika would possibly open once more, with Punia auditioning for the No. 3 spot.

Punia has performed three ODIs since 2023, and made a comeback in opposition to South Africa in June this 12 months on the again of spectacular home performances. She featured solely within the last ODI in opposition to South Africa, and was then a part of the India A tour of Australia in August, when she did not discover a lot success. Nonetheless, Punia was dropped for the New Zealand sequence in Ahmedabad in October, the place Yastika batted at No.3. Even D Hemalatha, who wasn’t picked for the Australia sequence, performed three ODIs this 12 months at Nos. 3 and 4, however failed to carry on to her spot.

Other than Hemalatha, additionally lacking from the squad are offspinner Shreyanka Patil, uncapped seamer Sayali Satghare, and back-up wicketkeeper Uma Chetry.

Deol is one other acquainted title again within the fold after nearly a 12 months. The center-order batter has performed solely ten ODIs since her debut in 2019 and scored two fifties, however was by no means given a sustained run within the format. Her final ODI was additionally in opposition to Australia, at residence final 12 months.

In the meantime, Sadhu, who, like Mani, has featured in 9 T20Is however is but to play an ODI, would be the back-up quick bowler, with Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy main the assault that additionally has seamer Saima Thakor, who had made her debut in opposition to New Zealand.

Legspinner Asha Sobhana, who had missed the New Zealand sequence due to damage, continues to be unavailable, whereas allrounder Pooja Vastrakar, who was rested in opposition to New Zealand, is absent too. In the meantime, middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis and legspinner Priya Mishra, who additionally made their debuts in opposition to New Zealand and had notable performances, have retained their spots to face Australia.

The likes of Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika and Deepti Sharma are already in Australia, as they’re taking part in within the WBBL.

Harmanpreet Kaur and co will head into the ODIs in opposition to Australia on the again of a 2-1 victory in opposition to New Zealand, whereas Australia final performed ODIs in March, and beat Bangladesh 3-0 in Mirpur. The ODIs in opposition to India might be a part of the Championship, the place Australia and England are the joint table-toppers. India, as hosts, qualify mechanically for the 2025 World Cup.

India’s squad for ODIs in opposition to Australia

Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana, 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 and Saima Thakor

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