The Indian women’s cricket team for the 2026 Asia Cup has been announced. Harmanpreet Kaur will once again lead this 15-member squad. The selectors have retained most of the players from the Asian Games squad, making only one change.
The most talked-about aspect of this selection process is the omission of Yastika Bhatia. Despite scoring a brilliant century in the Lord’s Test, the wicketkeeper-batsman was overlooked. Instead, the selectors have retained their faith in 18-year-old G Kamalini, who remains in the team as the backup wicketkeeper.
Shreyanka Patil out, Prema Rawat makes way
The only change from the Asian Games squad to the Asia Cup squad is the omission of Shreyanka Patil. She suffered an ankle ligament injury during the T20 World Cup and is currently working on her recovery. Although Shreyanka was included in the previously announced Asian Games squad, her participation there will also depend on passing a fitness test.
On the other hand, leg-spinning all-rounder Prema Rawat, who replaced Shreyanka in the T20 World Cup squad, has managed to retain her place. Prema was given a chance in the group stage match against South Africa in Manchester, where she scored an unbeaten 3 off 2 balls and conceded 21 runs in her two overs without taking a wicket.
Great opportunity to prepare for the Asian Games
Although the official schedule for the 2026 Asia Cup has not yet been revealed, it is believed that the tournament could be played between late August and mid-September. This tournament will be crucial for the Indian team in preparation for the Asian Games, which will be held in Japan from September 17th to 22nd.
Meanwhile, several veteran Indian players are currently playing in “The Hundred” tournament in England. Big names like vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh are making waves in this franchise league, and will join the national team after its completion.
Indian women’s team for Asia Cup 2026
Main squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharati Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), G Kamalini (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Goud, Renuka Singh, N Sri Charani, Nandani Sharma.
Reserve players: Pratika Rawal, Uma Chhetri (wicketkeeper), Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Minnu Mani.
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