Bengal’s young batter Richa Ghosh was the only surprise in the 15-member India women’s squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
On Sunday, the five-member National women’s selection committee rewarded the 16-year-old from Siliguri for her consistent performances at the domestic level.
The selectors were also impressed by her approach in the recently-concluded Challengers Trophy, where she played two important knocks of 25 and 36 for India-B in crunch situations.
Never thought things will happen so fast, says teenager Richa
“Earlier the same team used to play, but after the 2017 World Cup several new prospects have emerged and we have nurtured five to six players,” selection panel chief Hemalata Kala, said.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes that execution of plans will be the key.
“That is what we are looking at in the World Cup,” she said.
Prior to the World Cup, the team will figure in a tri-series involving England and Australia.
The squads:
T20 World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt.), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Richa Ghosh, Taniya Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy.
Tri-series: Harmanpreet (Capt.), Smriti, Shafali, Jemimah, Harleen, Deepti, Veda, Richa, Taniya, Poonam, Radha, Rajeshwari, Shikha, Pooja, Arundhati and Nuzhat Parween.
The itinerary: Tri-series: Canberra, from Jan. 31.
T20 World Cup: Feb. 21 to March 8.
