Pooja Vastrakar ruled out as India announce Women's squad for Australia T20Is

Harmanpreet Kaur with Harleen Deol [Source: Twitter]

In a significant development, India have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Australia. 

Unfortunately, swashbuckling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has been ruled out of the team due to injury. In contrast, Anjali Sarvani has received her maiden call-up, while Devika Vaidya has been recalled to the national side. Kiran Navgire's absence marks another notable event in the selection. 

Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the team, with experienced opener Smriti Mandhana set to play her deputy. As expected, Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh have been picked as the two keeper-batters. 

Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues will shoulder the batting responsibilities along with Kaur and Mandhana, while Renuka Singh Thakur and Meghna Singh will spearhead the pace bowling department. Meanwhile, the left-arm spinners Radha Yadav and Rajeshwari Gayakwad will be the lead spinners in the series. 

India Women's squad for Australia T20Is

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Devika Vaidya, S Meghana, Richa Ghosh (wk), Harleen Deol 

Net bowlers - Monika Patel, Arundhati Reddy, SB Pokharkar, Simran Bahadur

The five-match T20I series between the two teams begins on December 9 with the first match scheduled at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. 

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