They have a set role with India U-19: Hrishikesh Kanitkar talks about Indian Youngsters

Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma in action [Source: Twitter]

India Women's two most promising stars, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh have been selected to play in the inaugural ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup 2023 with a set goal in mind by the BCCI. 

Interim coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar indicated that both Shafali and Richa have been given specific roles, keeping in mind that the ICC Women's T20 World Cup is also set to take place in South Africa in February. 

The 15-member Indian U19 Team will be captained by Shafali.  Thus, both Shafali and Richa will miss India's upcoming T20 tri-nation series against South Africa and West Indies, having already appeared in 119 international games combined.

Ahead of the fifth and final T20I against Australia, Kanitkar, according to ESPNcricinfo, stated that coaches will be in constant touch regarding a few players.

"We'll have a few things we want them [Shafali and Ghosh] to continue doing in terms of preparation [for the Women's T20 World Cup]. I'll have a word with the Under-19 coach so that the communication goes to both ends.

"We'll have a few [discussions so that] there's clarity with the coach as well as the players, and there's no confusion on what we want and what they should be doing. Obviously, they'll play for the Under-19 team and [we] want that team to win. And that's always the case. But we also want them to prepare a certain way."

Shafali in the ongoing five-T20I series against Australia has scored 127 runs, while Richa's late-order explosives with the bat have been spectacular. 

Also Read: IND-W vs AUS-W 5th T20I: Preview, Prediction and Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips