Team India Announces Squad for IDFC First Bank ODI Series Against Ireland Women

Team India Announces Squad for IDFC First Bank ODI Series Against Ireland Women

The Women’s Selection Committee has unveiled the 15-member Indian squad for the IDFC FIRST Bank ODI series against Ireland Women, set to take place at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. This much-anticipated series marks the beginning of the Indian team’s 2025 cricket calendar, featuring three ODIs scheduled for January 10, 12, and 15.

Smriti Mandhana to Lead the Indian Women’s Team in Rajkot; Harmanpreet Kaur Rested

Smriti Mandhana will captain the side, with all-rounder Deepti Sharma serving as her deputy. This series sees some notable absences, as senior players Harmanpreet Kaur and Renuka Singh Thakur have been rested to manage their workload. This opens up opportunities for emerging talents to shine on the international stage.

India’s Strong Line-Up Led by Smriti Mandhana

The squad boasts a balanced mix of experienced players and young talents. Alongside seasoned campaigners like Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, the inclusion of newcomers such as Raghvi Bist and Minnu Mani highlights India’s focus on nurturing future stars. The wicketkeeping responsibilities will be shared by Uma Chetry and Richa Ghosh, while Titas Sadhu and Sayali Satghare are set to spearhead the bowling attack.

Complete Indian 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
Fixture Details for the ODI Series

The three ODIs will all be played at Rajkot’s iconic Niranjan Shah Stadium. The matches will start at 11:00 AM IST, providing cricket fans an exciting opportunity to witness the action live.

1st ODI: January 10, 2025 (Friday)
2nd ODI: January 12, 2025 (Sunday)
3rd ODI: January 15, 2025 (Wednesday)
The Irish squad, looking to challenge India on home soil, is yet to announce its final lineup.

Opportunities for Fresh Faces

With the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur and Renuka Singh Thakur, India’s selection emphasizes a broader player rotation strategy. This is a critical series for younger players such as Priya Mishra and Saima Thakor to showcase their abilities and solidify their place in the team.

Focus on Momentum for a Crucial Year Ahead

This series is not only an opportunity to begin the year on a high but also a crucial preparation step for upcoming tournaments in 2025. Both teams will aim to gain momentum and establish dominance early in the international calendar.