Women's ODI World Cup squad announced; Shafali out, fit-again Renuka in

Bengaluru: India have left dashing opener Shafali Verma out of the Women's ODI World Cup squad, while the impressive Pratika Rawal's consistent push for a permanent opening spot has been a successful one.

Shafali's omission does not come as a shock after falling out of favour last year. She was, however, given a chance to open in the three-match series Australia 'A' but failed to make a case, managing just 92 runs. 

The 24-year-old Pratika has been ticking the right boxes and will join the trusted quartet of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh in India's top six. Opening with Smriti, she has scored 703 runs in 14 innings at an average 54.07. 

Harleen Doel, who has upped her game by adding the much-needed consistency, has also made the 15-member team, despite copping some questions over her intent. She is expected to bat at three. 

Fit-again Renuka Singh, who has not played any cricket since suffering a stress fracture in March, will spearhead the bowling group alongside the talented Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy. 

All-rounder Amanjot Kaur is expected to be an understudy for the lead pacers after earning the trust of the selectors despite some questions over her back after she missed the final two ODIs against England. The 25-year-old was deployed in Pooja Vastrakar’s absence and has excited the backroom staff. 

Yastika Bhatia was also named as the reserve wicket-keeper and utility batter behind first-choice Richa.

The selectors might have been tempted to blood Tejal Hasnabis and Sayali Satghare, who were a part of the England series, but have been left out. However, Sayali will take part in the ODI series against Australia and will be replaced by Amanjot for the World Cup.

India will go into their World Cup campaign with three specialist spinners in Sneh Rana, Sree Charani and Radha Yadav along with the experienced Deepti Sharma. 

The Neetu David-led committee also named a 15-member squad for the one-day internationals against Australia, which precedes the World Cup with only one change (Sayali Satghare for Amanjot Kaur) in both the squads. The three-match series begins on September 14.

India will play two warm-up fixtures against England and New Zealand, before they get their campaign underway against Sri Lanka in the tournament curtain-raiser on September 30. 

India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk) and Sneh Rana.