G Kamalini gets maiden ODI call-up as Shreyanka Patil returns for Australia tour
Off-spinner Shreyanka Patil and batter Bharti Fulmali made their return to the Indian T20I squad, while wicketkeeper G Kamalini and left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma received maiden ODI call-ups for India’s white-ball tour of Australia next month . The squads, announced on Saturday, also saw Kashvee Gautam added to the 15-member ODI setup, while pacer Arundhati Reddy and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav were dropped from the 50-over format .
Key changes in both squads
Harleen Deol, who was part of the ODI setup, has been dropped from the 16-member T20I squad . Both teams will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain for the tour that includes three T20Is and three ODIs between February 15 and March 1 . The BCCI confirmed that the Test squad for the one-off match scheduled from March 6 to 9 in Perth will be announced later .
Shreyanka Patil’s comeback story
Shreyanka Patil’s return to the T20I squad comes after she impressed with her recent performances, including a five-wicket haul in the Women’s Premier League. The off-spinner had been out of action for 14 months due to injury before making her comeback, and her return adds depth to India’s spin attack alongside Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and the newly called-up Vaishnavi Sharma .
Fresh faces in ODI setup
G Kamalini’s maiden ODI call-up provides India with an additional wicketkeeping option alongside Richa Ghosh, giving the team flexibility in selection . Vaishnavi Sharma’s inclusion as a left-arm spinner adds variety to the bowling attack, while Kashvee Gautam’s addition strengthens the batting depth for the 50-over format .
Tour schedule
India will play three T20Is on February 15 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, February 19 at Manuka Oval in Canberra, and February 21 at Adelaide Oval . The ODI series will be held on February 24 at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, followed by two matches on February 27 and March 1, both at Bellerive Oval in Hobart .
India’s T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur ©, Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Shreyanka Patil .
India’s ODI squad: Harmanpreet Kaur ©, Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol .