Plenty of surprises in India’s squad for Women’s T20 World Cup

15-member squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup to be played in Australia from 21st February – 8th March 2020 was picked by the All-India Women’s Selection Committee on Sunday. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Indian team and Indian opener Smriti Mandana will be her deputy.

New Face Richa Ghosh

Bengal’s rookie batswoman Richa Ghosh is the only new face in the squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur. Richa has been rewarded for her exploits in the recent women’s Challenger Trophy. She scored 36 off 26 balls in one of the games with four boundaries and a six. She had such a good Women’s Challenger Trophy for India B while batting in the middle order.

?Squad Announcement?@ImHarmanpreet will lead India's charge at @T20WorldCup #T20WorldCup #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/QkpyypyJKc

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 12, 2020

The team has no other surprises and 15-year-old young sensation from Haryana Shafali Verma will also be playing her first world tournament following some good performances at the international level in her first season.

Indian legend Jhulan Goswami congratulated Richa for her selection and claimed that it was a very proud moment for Bengal.

Also congratulations #RichaGhosh on making it to the squad. A very proud moment for the Bengal team. https://t.co/sRJuFJ5vJC

— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) January 12, 2020

Group of Death

India is in the group of death in the World Cup with defending champions Australia, one of the favorites New Zealand, Asia Cup Champions Bangladesh and underdogs Sri Lanka.

The groups for next year's ICC Women's #T20WorldCup are confirmed! pic.twitter.com/sq0IDFW2U3

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 7, 2019

India’s opening match is against the defending champions and hosts Australia,which is also the first match of the tournament. It will be held at the Sydney Showground Stadium on February 21.

The selectors also announced a 16-member squad for a tri-series in Australia prior to the T20 World Cup, with Nuzhat Parveen being added as the 16th member. That tournament starts on January 31 and also features England.

World T20 Squad

Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodriguez, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Richa Ghosh, Tania Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy.

Tri-Series (16 member) Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodriguez, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Richa Ghosh, Tania Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Nuzhat Parveen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJiqM3UM_IA