Harmanpreet Kaur Rested As India Name Squad For Ireland Series

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and pacer Renuka Thakur have been rested for India's upcoming three-match ODI home series against Ireland. Shafali Verma, who had been dropped since the Australia tour in early December, continues to be on the sidelines, while Pooja Vastrakar still misses out as her rehab is still not complete.

The 15-member squad will be led by Smriti Mandhana in Harmanpreet's absence, with ace allrounder Deepti Sharma promoted as the vice-captain for the series. Harmanpreet had missed two games of the T20I leg of West Indies' white-ball tour of India after picking up a knee niggle on-field in the series opener. With India's qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup already secured under being hosts, the Indian skipper has been afforded some much-needed rest as she played through the World Cup in UAE with a shoulder niggle after sustaining a blow to her neck on the eve of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Tejal Hasabnis makes a comeback after being dropped since her memorable debut in Ahmedabad against New Zealand last October. Arundhati Reddy, who was dropped after the New Zealand series still remains on the sidelines. Radha Yadav who last played against New Zealand has been axed from the side.

The selectors have recalled Raghvi Bisht and Sayali Satghare. Bisht recently made her T20I debut against the West Indies, while Mumbai pacer Satghare was a part of the squad during New Zealand's visit but failed to get a game.

Meanwhile, Pratika Rawal who recently featured in three-match ODI series against West Indies scoring 134 runs in her debut series has retained her spot in the team as an opener.

India is currently placed third in the ICC Women's ODI Championship 2022-25 standings with three games in hand, will look to finish at the 2nd spot after Australia took the first spot in the cycle beating New Zealand last month. Ireland, on the other hand, are at the last spot of the rankings with just 3 series wins out of 10

The three ODIs will take place at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 10, 12 and 15.

Squad: Smriti Mandhana (C), Deepti Sharma (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chetry (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Raghvi Bist, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwer, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, Sayali Satghare