India Women’s Cricket Team Announces Squads for Australia ODIs and ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
As the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 approaches, the Indian women's cricket selectors have finalized their squads for the upcoming One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Australia and the marquee World Cup event starting September 30. The announcement on August 19, 2025, brought a significant shake-up with the return of pace spearhead Renuka Singh Thakur, while young explosive opener Shafali Verma was notably left out.
Renuka Singh Makes Comeback; Shafali Verma Overlooked
Renuka Singh, the right-arm pacer who has been sidelined since March due to injury, is back in the squad, ready to fortify India's bowling attack. She missed key tours including the ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka and the England tour but has recovered in time for the critical home fixtures.
In contrast, Shafali Verma, known for her electrifying bat, particularly at the top of the order, was surprisingly excluded from both the Australia ODI series and the World Cup squad. Instead, the selectors have opted to persist with Pratika Rawal, who has impressed with her consistency over 14 ODIs.
Neetu David, Chairperson of Selectors: “Shafali is definitely still very much in our plans. She played in the Australia A series and remains within the system. We want her to gain more experience for a long and successful 50-over career.”
Squad Leadership and Key Players
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Indian team, supported by vice-captain and star batter Smriti Mandhana, who took part in the selection meeting at BCCI’s Mumbai headquarters. Mandhana’s role as deputy captain hints at the team's reliance on experienced top-order stability despite the changes.
Amanjot Kaur’s Injury and Squad Tweaks
All-rounder Amanjot Kaur remains sidelined as she recovers at the Centre of Excellence, prompting the inclusion of say Sayali Satghare for the ODIs against Australia. Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of resting key players ahead of the World Cup to ensure peak fitness.
Harmanpreet Kaur: “Amanjot is an important player. We’ve given her additional time to heal so she can be fully available for the World Cup.”
Bowling Attack and Spin Department Strength
The pace attack pairs Renuka Singh with young talents Kranti Goud and Arundhati Reddy, while the spin-heavy lineup features promising newcomer Shree Charani. Charani has made waves with 10 wickets in five T20Is against England after debuting internationally earlier this year.
Senior spinners Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Radha Yadav bolster the bowling unit, a move in line with India's historical strength on spin-friendly conditions. Harmanpreet stressed the effectiveness of spinners in recent tours and their pivotal role in the World Cup squad.
Complete India Women’s Squads
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Squad:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Pratika Rawal
- Harleen Deol
- Deepti Sharma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Arundhati Reddy
- Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper)
- Kranti Goud
- Amanjot Kaur
- Radha Yadav
- Shree Charani
- Yastika Bhatia (Wicketkeeper)
- Sneh Rana
ODI Series Against Australia Squad:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Pratika Rawal
- Harleen Deol
- Deepti Sharma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Arundhati Reddy
- Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper)
- Kranti Goud
- Sayali Satghare
- Radha Yadav
- Shree Charani
- Yastika Bhatia (Wicketkeeper)
- Sneh Rana
Expert Insight: Strategic Balance and Long-Term Vision
The exclusion of Shafali Verma, despite her reputation as a dynamic hitter, reflects the selectors’ focus on building a balanced side optimized for the conditions expected in the upcoming series and the World Cup, held in India. Pratika Rawal’s selection rewards steady performance and technical consistency, critical when facing a quality Australian bowling attack.
Renuka Singh’s comeback injects much-needed pace and experience into the attack, offering the team a potent combination to challenge strong opposition. The emphasis on a spin-heavy squad aligns with India’s traditional strength and the pitches likely to favor turn and control.
Moreover, resting key players like Amanjot Kaur highlights a calculated approach to player workload management—essential in modern cricket with its packed schedules. The selectors’ strategy suggests a clear vision aimed at not just immediate success but fostering a sustainable, adaptable team for the future.
Editor’s Note
This squad announcement raises intriguing questions about form versus potential—how should selectors weigh explosive talent against consistency? Shafali Verma remains a future asset, but nurturing her for long-term growth appears prioritized over immediate World Cup participation. Renuka Singh’s return signals the value of experience in high-pressure tournaments. As the World Cup draws near, fans will eagerly watch whether these selection bets pay off on the grand stage.
