The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to continue with experienced campaigner Harmanpreet Kaur as captain of the Indian women's cricket team for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, despite the side's disappointing early exit from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England.
The Women's Selection Committee announced a largely unchanged 15-member squad on Tuesday, signalling its faith in the core group that has represented India in recent years. India will head to the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, as the defending champions after winning the gold medal at the previous edition in Hangzhou, China.
India's World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end after a six-wicket defeat against Australia women's national cricket team in the group stage at Lord's. The defeat exposed several weaknesses in the team, including inconsistent batting performances, fielding lapses and an unsettled middle order. Following the elimination, skipper Harmanpreet admitted that the team needed to "rethink a lot of things" going forward.
Despite the setback, the selectors have opted for continuity rather than a major overhaul. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana retains her place alongside key players such as Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh.
The only notable change in the squad is the inclusion of young wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini in place of Yastika Bhatia. Meanwhile, all-rounder Shreyanka Patil has been selected subject to fitness clearance after missing the T20 World Cup due to an ankle injury.
India's squad for the Asian Games includes: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, G Kamalini, Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and Nandini Sharma.
The Asian Games now offer India an opportunity to bounce back from their World Cup disappointment and defend their continental crown under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, whose experience and leadership remain central to the team's ambitions.
