Picture Credit: ICC/Getty Images
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a 15-player squad for the 2026 Asian Games, retaining the majority of the players who represented the country at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The only change to the previous squad is the inclusion of left-handed wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, who replaces Yastika Bhatia in the travelling contingent.
India will begin the tournament as the defending gold medallists after winning the women’s cricket competition at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
The 2026 Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October, and India will aim to defend its continental title.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues will lead India’s batting line-up with their experience and consistency.
Deepti Sharma will strengthen the middle order with her all-round skills, while Richa Ghosh will take charge as the first-choice wicketkeeper.
G Kamalini will provide wicketkeeping cover as the reserve glovewoman.
The pace bowling unit includes Renuka Singh Thakur and Arundhati Reddy, while Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil add variety and experience to the spin attack.
The BCCI stated that Shreyanka Patil’s participation remains dependent on medical clearance following her recovery from an ankle injury.
The all-rounder missed the Women’s T20 World Cup after suffering the setback.
Cricket will once again feature at the Asian Games after its successful return in Hangzhou.
The sport was omitted from the 2018 Jakarta edition but had previously been contested at Guangzhou in 2010 and Incheon in 2014.
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), 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), Radha Yadav and Nandni Sharma.
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