New Delhi. For the first time after winning the ODI World Cup on November 2, the Indian women’s team is ready for action on the field. Actually, Team India will play the home T20 International series against Sri Lanka from 21st December i.e. tomorrow. The first match of this five-match series will be played in Visakhapatnam. In this match, all eyes will be on star opener batsman Smriti Mandhana, who will be seen in action for the first time after ups and downs in her personal life. The Indian team would like to start the series with a win. With this series, Team India’s preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup will also begin.
The Indian team will be looking for such young players who can strengthen the team for a long time for next year’s World Cup in the five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka starting from Sunday. The team has well-known faces like captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh, but all these players are in their 30s or above. In such a situation, the team management will keep its eyes on the performance of young batsman G Kamalini and emerging left arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma.
Will keep an eye on these players
17-year-old Kamalini has shown her intelligence while playing for Tamil Nadu in the BCCI Under-23 T20 Trophy, the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year and then for Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League. Vaishnavi Sharma caught the attention of the selectors by taking maximum 17 wickets in the Under-19 World Cup. In the absence of Radha Yadav, 19-year-old Vaishnavi may get a chance to bowl with fellow left-arm spinner N Sri Charani, who has performed well in recent months. If both the left arm spinners play well in this series then it can be beneficial for the future of the team.
Indian women’s cricket team
Focus will also be on Smriti Mandhana
Everyone’s eyes will also be on Smriti Mandhana. Recently there have been many ups and downs in his personal life. It remains to be seen how she performs in batting after the end of her marriage. This left-handed opener has made it clear that cricket is supreme for her and this tour can be a good opportunity for her to return to normal life. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will try to bring back her rhythm in the T20 format after the break after winning the ODI World Cup. Shefali Verma, who performed brilliantly in the final of the ODI World Cup, would like to cement her place in the team by playing well consistently in this series.
The Sri Lankan team will also focus on the development of its young players under the leadership of captain Chamari Atapattu. The team has high hopes from 17-year-old Shashini Gimhani, who bowls with both hands, 23-year-old fast bowler Kavya Kavindi and 19-year-old Rashmika Sevvandi. These players are being considered as future stars.
Squad of both teams for the series
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shefali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaur, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Shree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma.
Sri Lanka: Chamari Atapattu (captain), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Neelakshika de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Imisha Dulani, Kaushini Nutyangana, Malsha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Nimesh Madushani, Kavya Kavindi, Rashmika Sewandi, Malki Madara.
