2 hours ago
India are set to renew their rivalry with Pakistan in their final league-stage match of the Women's Asia Cup on Saturday, with senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma confident that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side can maintain its recent dominance over its neighbours.
India have already secured their place in the semifinals after registering convincing victories over Thailand and Hong Kong. They currently sit at the top of Group A and will enter the Pakistan clash as clear favourites.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Deepti pointed to India's strong record against Pakistan and said the team would aim to maintain that edge.
"Look, there is no advantage as such. The only thing is that whatever we have won against them (Pakistan), whether it is the Asia Cup or any other matches, we are always one step ahead of them. And that's it," Deepti said.
Deepti stressed that India would not get distracted by Pakistan's strengths and instead concentrate on maintaining their own balanced approach.
"The whole team is performing well. If you look at the bowling unit or the batting unit, I think both things are balanced. The one who has a good day, she tries to do better and take the game further. And those around her, they try to stay positive things so that they step in more in their game," she said.
Asked about Pakistan's bowling attack, Deepti acknowledged the threat but insisted India would stick to their plans.
"Our team is also good and their bowlers are also good. We know that. But we focus more on the strengths we have. And as I said, we want to play a good brand of cricket. That's what we are focusing on. We just want to play good cricket. As a bowling unit, as a batting unit, the team should be as compact as we are playing in two games. That's the mindset," she added.
India have dominated the rivalry in women's T20Is, winning 14 of their 17 meetings with Pakistan, while Pakistan have three victories. The recent record is even more emphatic. India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, while also winning their previous two meetings in the 2024 T20 World Cup and Asia Cup.
Pakistan's most recent victory over India came in the 2022 Women's Asia Cup, when they secured a 13-run win.
#deepti #good #team #recent
India have already secured their place in the semifinals after registering convincing victories over Thailand and Hong Kong. They currently sit at the top of Group A and will enter the Pakistan clash as clear favourites.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Deepti pointed to India's strong record against Pakistan and said the team would aim to maintain that edge.
"Look, there is no advantage as such. The only thing is that whatever we have won against them (Pakistan), whether it is the Asia Cup or any other matches, we are always one step ahead of them. And that's it," Deepti said.
Deepti stressed that India would not get distracted by Pakistan's strengths and instead concentrate on maintaining their own balanced approach.
"The whole team is performing well. If you look at the bowling unit or the batting unit, I think both things are balanced. The one who has a good day, she tries to do better and take the game further. And those around her, they try to stay positive things so that they step in more in their game," she said.
Asked about Pakistan's bowling attack, Deepti acknowledged the threat but insisted India would stick to their plans.
"Our team is also good and their bowlers are also good. We know that. But we focus more on the strengths we have. And as I said, we want to play a good brand of cricket. That's what we are focusing on. We just want to play good cricket. As a bowling unit, as a batting unit, the team should be as compact as we are playing in two games. That's the mindset," she added.
India have dominated the rivalry in women's T20Is, winning 14 of their 17 meetings with Pakistan, while Pakistan have three victories. The recent record is even more emphatic. India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, while also winning their previous two meetings in the 2024 T20 World Cup and Asia Cup.
Pakistan's most recent victory over India came in the 2022 Women's Asia Cup, when they secured a 13-run win.
#deepti #good #team #recent
21 hours ago
Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124 and a clinical bowling effort helped India crush Hong Kong by 137 runs in their Women's Asia Cup 2026 clash in Dubai. After posting 193/5, India bowled Hong Kong out for just 56 in 16.2 overs to seal a massive win and book their place in the semi-finals.
Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field, but Mandhana quickly put their decision under pressure. The India opener and Shafali Verma gave their side a strong start, with Verma smashing 28 off 17 ***** before departing.
Wickets began to fall regularly after the opening stand, but Mandhana continued to attack from one end. She reached her half-century in 40 ***** before dramatically increasing the tempo, bringing up her century in just 57 deliveries.
Mandhana finished with a sensational 124 off 64 ***** , hitting 14 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 193.75. The innings took her to 18 international centuries, moving her past Meg Lanning's tally of 17 and making her the leading century-maker in women's international cricket.
She also broke Chamari Athapaththu's record for the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing the Sri Lankan's unbeaten 119.
Mandhana's innings eventually ended in the final over when she was run out after a mix-up with Bharti Fulmali. Her dismissal, however, came after she had already powered India to a formidable 193/5.
Hong Kong's chase never got going as India's spin-heavy attack strangled the batting lineup from the beginning. They slipped to 32/3 and struggled to score freely against India's disciplined bowling.
Deepti Sharma led the attack with 3/9 from three overs, removing key batters Natasha Miles and Yasmin Daswani while keeping the scoring rate under control. Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma and Shree Charani then continued to chip away at the Hong Kong batting order.
Marina Lamplough offered some resistance with 14, but Shree Charani eventually removed her before the lower order folded quickly. Nandani Sharma claimed two wickets, while Prema Rawat finished with two as India's spinners kept the pressure on.
Hong Kong were eventually bowled out for just 56 in 16.2 overs. Shree Charani completed the victory by stumping Shanzeen Shahzad after a sharp piece of work from Richa Ghosh.
#hong #India #sharma #shree
Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field, but Mandhana quickly put their decision under pressure. The India opener and Shafali Verma gave their side a strong start, with Verma smashing 28 off 17 ***** before departing.
Wickets began to fall regularly after the opening stand, but Mandhana continued to attack from one end. She reached her half-century in 40 ***** before dramatically increasing the tempo, bringing up her century in just 57 deliveries.
Mandhana finished with a sensational 124 off 64 ***** , hitting 14 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 193.75. The innings took her to 18 international centuries, moving her past Meg Lanning's tally of 17 and making her the leading century-maker in women's international cricket.
She also broke Chamari Athapaththu's record for the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing the Sri Lankan's unbeaten 119.
Mandhana's innings eventually ended in the final over when she was run out after a mix-up with Bharti Fulmali. Her dismissal, however, came after she had already powered India to a formidable 193/5.
Hong Kong's chase never got going as India's spin-heavy attack strangled the batting lineup from the beginning. They slipped to 32/3 and struggled to score freely against India's disciplined bowling.
Deepti Sharma led the attack with 3/9 from three overs, removing key batters Natasha Miles and Yasmin Daswani while keeping the scoring rate under control. Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma and Shree Charani then continued to chip away at the Hong Kong batting order.
Marina Lamplough offered some resistance with 14, but Shree Charani eventually removed her before the lower order folded quickly. Nandani Sharma claimed two wickets, while Prema Rawat finished with two as India's spinners kept the pressure on.
Hong Kong were eventually bowled out for just 56 in 16.2 overs. Shree Charani completed the victory by stumping Shanzeen Shahzad after a sharp piece of work from Richa Ghosh.
#hong #India #sharma #shree
1 day ago
Former India batter and Director of Cricket at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, VVS Laxman, is set to travel with the Indian men's team to ******* an and will take charge as head coach in the absence of Gautam Gambhir for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya later this month.
Gautam Gambhir will remain with the senior side for India's home ODI series against the West Indies. The first ODI is scheduled to be played on September 27.
Laxman will be ******* isted by former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, according to the list of coaches released by the Sports Ministry. The development was earlier reported by TimesofIndia.com in July.
Laxman has previous Asian Games experience, having coached the Indian men's team at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, where India won the gold medal.
The cricket competition at the Asian Games will begin on September 24, with India scheduled to play its opening men's match on September 28. India will defend its men's T20 ******* le under captain Shreyas Iyer, with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also part of the squad. The men's team will face the second-placed side from Group A, which comprises Afghanistan, ******* an and Nepal.
The Indian women's team will also enter the tournament as defending champions and will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The women's side will enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage and face hosts ******* an. Amol Muzumdar will continue as the head coach of the women's team, with bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi and fielding coach Munish Bali completing his support staff.
Indian men's team: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish ******* ar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit ******* rah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Indian women's team: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Gunalan Kamalini, Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Nandani Sharma.
#coach
Gautam Gambhir will remain with the senior side for India's home ODI series against the West Indies. The first ODI is scheduled to be played on September 27.
Laxman will be ******* isted by former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, according to the list of coaches released by the Sports Ministry. The development was earlier reported by TimesofIndia.com in July.
Laxman has previous Asian Games experience, having coached the Indian men's team at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, where India won the gold medal.
The cricket competition at the Asian Games will begin on September 24, with India scheduled to play its opening men's match on September 28. India will defend its men's T20 ******* le under captain Shreyas Iyer, with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also part of the squad. The men's team will face the second-placed side from Group A, which comprises Afghanistan, ******* an and Nepal.
The Indian women's team will also enter the tournament as defending champions and will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The women's side will enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage and face hosts ******* an. Amol Muzumdar will continue as the head coach of the women's team, with bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi and fielding coach Munish Bali completing his support staff.
Indian men's team: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish ******* ar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit ******* rah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Indian women's team: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Gunalan Kamalini, Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Nandani Sharma.
#coach
2 months ago
India fast bowler Kranti Gaud said earning a place on the iconic Lord's honours board had been her personal target from the very start of the one-off Women's Test, after her match-winning performance guided India to a historic 270-run victory over England.
Gaud was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 5/37 in England's first innings to hand India a decisive 115-run lead. She followed it up with figures of 2/54 in the second innings as England were bowled out for 186 while chasing an imposing target of 457. Her seven-wicket haul earned her the Player of the Match award.
Reflecting on the achievement, Gaud admitted the milestone had seemed unimaginable while growing up but became a clear objective once the Test got underway.
"Growing up, I never imagined something like this would happen. But from the day this Test match began, I told myself that I wanted to get my name on the honours board," she said during the post-match presentation.
The young pacer credited her success to sticking to the basics and trusting the plans laid out by the coaching staff.
"My approach is very simple. I just focus on my line and length. Whatever the coaches have told me, I try to follow that by hitting the same line and length consistently. That's what I was thinking about with every ball."
Her five-wicket haul ensured she became one of the few cricketers to have their name inscribed on the famous Lord's honours board, a moment she said belonged as much to her family and mentors as it did to her.
"I feel extremely proud, and so does my family. I want to thank everyone - my coaches, my seniors, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey."
Gaud also revealed that the Player of the Match award and the match stump would take pride of place in a special collection she has built at home.
"I have made a small and special museum at home, and this award will go there. I'm going to keep the stump there forever at the centre."
India wrapped up the famous victory on the fourth morning as Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma cleaned up England's lower order after the hosts resumed at 130/6. The comprehensive win not only marked India's first women's Test victory at Lord's but also extended the team's unbeaten record in Test cricket on English soil.
Gaud was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 5/37 in England's first innings to hand India a decisive 115-run lead. She followed it up with figures of 2/54 in the second innings as England were bowled out for 186 while chasing an imposing target of 457. Her seven-wicket haul earned her the Player of the Match award.
Reflecting on the achievement, Gaud admitted the milestone had seemed unimaginable while growing up but became a clear objective once the Test got underway.
"Growing up, I never imagined something like this would happen. But from the day this Test match began, I told myself that I wanted to get my name on the honours board," she said during the post-match presentation.
The young pacer credited her success to sticking to the basics and trusting the plans laid out by the coaching staff.
"My approach is very simple. I just focus on my line and length. Whatever the coaches have told me, I try to follow that by hitting the same line and length consistently. That's what I was thinking about with every ball."
Her five-wicket haul ensured she became one of the few cricketers to have their name inscribed on the famous Lord's honours board, a moment she said belonged as much to her family and mentors as it did to her.
"I feel extremely proud, and so does my family. I want to thank everyone - my coaches, my seniors, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey."
Gaud also revealed that the Player of the Match award and the match stump would take pride of place in a special collection she has built at home.
"I have made a small and special museum at home, and this award will go there. I'm going to keep the stump there forever at the centre."
India wrapped up the famous victory on the fourth morning as Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma cleaned up England's lower order after the hosts resumed at 130/6. The comprehensive win not only marked India's first women's Test victory at Lord's but also extended the team's unbeaten record in Test cricket on English soil.
2 months ago
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (83, 108b, 11x4, 1x6), captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58, 121b, 7x4) and seasoned allrounder Deepti Sharma (57, 87b, 7x4) struck resolute fifties as India posted 285 before pacer Kranti Gaud's early breakthrough left England at 21 for one on an engrossing opening day of the historic first-ever women's Test at Lord's.
After opting to bat, India looked set for a much bigger total at 190 for three but suffered a collapse, losing seven wickets for 95 runs.
England dominated the final session, taking the last four wickets for just 11 runs in 42 ***** . Leftarm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (368) finished with three wickets, including the final three, as India were bowled out in 74.5 overs.
India struck back late when pacer Kranti Gaud trapped opener Tammy Beaumont (2), playing the final Test of her career, lbw with a sharp inswinger. Gaud nearly dismissed Heather Knight too, but India declined a review that balltracking later showed would have hit the stumps. Maia Bouchier was unbeaten on 17 and Knight on one at stumps.
Earlier, England made the perfect start. Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer struck inside the opening seven overs, removing Shafali Verma for a duck and Yastika Bhatia (12). Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) rebuilt with a brisk 64run stand before Rodrigues dragged Issy Wong onto her stumps.
Mandhana then combined with Harmanpreet in an 89-run fourthwicket partnership that steadied India after a shaky start. The lefthander played with characteristic fluency, peppering the off-side with elegant drives and also launching Ecclestone for six. However, she fell for 83, edging Wong behind while chasing a wide delivery.
Harmanpreet, under scrutiny after India's group-stage exit at the Women's T20 World Cup, responded with a patient half-century despite battling cramps. Soon after Mandhana's dismissal, she was undone by debutant off-spinner Mady Villiers, who picked up her maiden Test wicket with a delivery that drifted and turned through the gate.
Richa Ghosh (13) failed to make an impact, but Deepti's composed knock and a 46-run stand with Sneh Rana kept India afloat before another collapse ended the innings.
Brief Scores:
India 285 (Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet 58, Sharma 57) lead England 21-1 by 264 runs.
After opting to bat, India looked set for a much bigger total at 190 for three but suffered a collapse, losing seven wickets for 95 runs.
England dominated the final session, taking the last four wickets for just 11 runs in 42 ***** . Leftarm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (368) finished with three wickets, including the final three, as India were bowled out in 74.5 overs.
India struck back late when pacer Kranti Gaud trapped opener Tammy Beaumont (2), playing the final Test of her career, lbw with a sharp inswinger. Gaud nearly dismissed Heather Knight too, but India declined a review that balltracking later showed would have hit the stumps. Maia Bouchier was unbeaten on 17 and Knight on one at stumps.
Earlier, England made the perfect start. Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer struck inside the opening seven overs, removing Shafali Verma for a duck and Yastika Bhatia (12). Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) rebuilt with a brisk 64run stand before Rodrigues dragged Issy Wong onto her stumps.
Mandhana then combined with Harmanpreet in an 89-run fourthwicket partnership that steadied India after a shaky start. The lefthander played with characteristic fluency, peppering the off-side with elegant drives and also launching Ecclestone for six. However, she fell for 83, edging Wong behind while chasing a wide delivery.
Harmanpreet, under scrutiny after India's group-stage exit at the Women's T20 World Cup, responded with a patient half-century despite battling cramps. Soon after Mandhana's dismissal, she was undone by debutant off-spinner Mady Villiers, who picked up her maiden Test wicket with a delivery that drifted and turned through the gate.
Richa Ghosh (13) failed to make an impact, but Deepti's composed knock and a 46-run stand with Sneh Rana kept India afloat before another collapse ended the innings.
Brief Scores:
India 285 (Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet 58, Sharma 57) lead England 21-1 by 264 runs.
2 months ago
India and England shared the honours on an engrossing opening day of the historic first-ever women's Test at Lord's, with the visitors posting 285 before reducing England to 21/1 at stumps on Friday.
After England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to field, India appeared well placed for a much bigger total thanks to impressive half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma. However, a late collapse ensured England regained control before the close of play.
The hosts then negotiated 11 overs in fading light but lost opener Tammy Beaumont cheaply, leaving the match finely balanced heading into Day 2.
India endured a shaky start after losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia early, but Smriti Mandhana once again showcased her class with a fluent innings of 83 off 108 **** . The left-hander was positive from the outset, driving elegantly through the covers and punishing anything overpitched. She struck 11 fours and a six while stitching together crucial partnerships that helped India recover from the early setbacks.
Jemimah Rodrigues looked comfortable during her brief stay, adding a valuable stand with Mandhana before throwing away a promising start.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Mandhana to steady the innings with an important 89-run partnership. While Mandhana played the aggressor, Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a patient 58 off 121 deliveries, ensuring India remained in a commanding position through the afternoon session.
At 190/3, India looked set to cross the 350-run mark. But Mandhana's dismissal shifted the momentum dramatically.
England's spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, exploited the ageing ball brilliantly. Ecclestone extracted sharp turn and bounce to finish with 3/68, while debutant Mady Villiers made an immediate impact as India slipped from a position of strength.
With wickets falling regularly around her, Deepti Sharma produced a composed knock under pressure. The experienced all-rounder compiled a valuable 57 from 87 **** , striking seven boundaries and guiding India to a competitive 285 before becoming the last batter to fall in the 75th over.
England had only 11 overs to negotiate before stumps and suffered an early setback when Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for just two. Maia Bouchier looked **** ured during her unbeaten 17, while captain Heather Knight remained unbeaten on one as England closed the day on 21/1, trailing India by 264 runs.
India: 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58, Deepti Sharma 57; Sophie Ecclestone 3/68, Issy Wong 2/41)
England: 21/1 in 11 overs (Maia Bouchier 17*, Heather Knight 1*; Kranti Gaud 1/8)
After England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to field, India appeared well placed for a much bigger total thanks to impressive half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma. However, a late collapse ensured England regained control before the close of play.
The hosts then negotiated 11 overs in fading light but lost opener Tammy Beaumont cheaply, leaving the match finely balanced heading into Day 2.
India endured a shaky start after losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia early, but Smriti Mandhana once again showcased her class with a fluent innings of 83 off 108 **** . The left-hander was positive from the outset, driving elegantly through the covers and punishing anything overpitched. She struck 11 fours and a six while stitching together crucial partnerships that helped India recover from the early setbacks.
Jemimah Rodrigues looked comfortable during her brief stay, adding a valuable stand with Mandhana before throwing away a promising start.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Mandhana to steady the innings with an important 89-run partnership. While Mandhana played the aggressor, Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a patient 58 off 121 deliveries, ensuring India remained in a commanding position through the afternoon session.
At 190/3, India looked set to cross the 350-run mark. But Mandhana's dismissal shifted the momentum dramatically.
England's spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, exploited the ageing ball brilliantly. Ecclestone extracted sharp turn and bounce to finish with 3/68, while debutant Mady Villiers made an immediate impact as India slipped from a position of strength.
With wickets falling regularly around her, Deepti Sharma produced a composed knock under pressure. The experienced all-rounder compiled a valuable 57 from 87 **** , striking seven boundaries and guiding India to a competitive 285 before becoming the last batter to fall in the 75th over.
England had only 11 overs to negotiate before stumps and suffered an early setback when Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for just two. Maia Bouchier looked **** ured during her unbeaten 17, while captain Heather Knight remained unbeaten on one as England closed the day on 21/1, trailing India by 264 runs.
India: 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58, Deepti Sharma 57; Sophie Ecclestone 3/68, Issy Wong 2/41)
England: 21/1 in 11 overs (Maia Bouchier 17*, Heather Knight 1*; Kranti Gaud 1/8)
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: India have handed Priya Punia her maiden Test call-up after opener Pratika Rawal was ruled out of the one-off women's Test against England at Lord's with a knee injury.
The Women's Selection Committee named Punia as Rawal's replacement after the opener failed to recover in time for the match, which begins on Friday.
Rawal suffered a cut around her right knee while playing for India A in the second One-Day match against England A in Taunton. The injury required stitches, forcing her to miss the Lord's Test.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed the news ahead of the match.
"Pratika has been ruled out of the Test match due to her injury in the India A match. She has got a cut on her knee which required some stitches. She is out for the Test match and Priya Punia has been added into the squad," said Muzumdar.
Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Priya Punia is a right-handed top-order batter who can also bowl right-arm medium pace. The 29-year-old has represented India in limited-overs cricket but is yet to make her Test debut.
Punia made her international debut in a T20I against New Zealand on February 6, 2019. Since then, she has represented India in both ODIs and T20Is.
Punia's selection for the one-off Test against England comes on the back of an excellent series for India A against England A.
She scored 23 in the opening match before following it up with 87 and 61 in the next two games. She finished as India A's highest run-scorer in the three-match One-Day series with 171 runs and played a key role in India's 2-1 series victory.
So far, Punia has played 12 Women's ODIs, scoring 273 runs at an average of 27.30. Her highest score is an unbeaten 75, and she has hit two half-centuries in the format.
In T20 Internationals, she has featured in three matches, scoring nine runs.
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Nandini Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana and Priya Punia.
The Women's Selection Committee named Punia as Rawal's replacement after the opener failed to recover in time for the match, which begins on Friday.
Rawal suffered a cut around her right knee while playing for India A in the second One-Day match against England A in Taunton. The injury required stitches, forcing her to miss the Lord's Test.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed the news ahead of the match.
"Pratika has been ruled out of the Test match due to her injury in the India A match. She has got a cut on her knee which required some stitches. She is out for the Test match and Priya Punia has been added into the squad," said Muzumdar.
Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Priya Punia is a right-handed top-order batter who can also bowl right-arm medium pace. The 29-year-old has represented India in limited-overs cricket but is yet to make her Test debut.
Punia made her international debut in a T20I against New Zealand on February 6, 2019. Since then, she has represented India in both ODIs and T20Is.
Punia's selection for the one-off Test against England comes on the back of an excellent series for India A against England A.
She scored 23 in the opening match before following it up with 87 and 61 in the next two games. She finished as India A's highest run-scorer in the three-match One-Day series with 171 runs and played a key role in India's 2-1 series victory.
So far, Punia has played 12 Women's ODIs, scoring 273 runs at an average of 27.30. Her highest score is an unbeaten 75, and she has hit two half-centuries in the format.
In T20 Internationals, she has featured in three matches, scoring nine runs.
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Nandini Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana and Priya Punia.
3 months ago
'Won't make a big difference': Pakistan women's coach Wahab Riaz reacts to no-hanshake policy in IND vs PAK cricket matches originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Pakistan women's coach Wahab Riaz says India's no-handshake policy won't make a big difference after their 64-run defeat at Edgbaston.
Riaz admitted he was unaware of the reason behind the policy, having left cricket some time ago.
India won convincingly with Deepti Sharma claiming a five-wicket haul to open their Women's T20 WC 2026 campaign.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Pakistan women's coach Wahab Riaz says India's no-handshake policy won't make a big difference after their 64-run defeat at Edgbaston.
Riaz admitted he was unaware of the reason behind the policy, having left cricket some time ago.
India won convincingly with Deepti Sharma claiming a five-wicket haul to open their Women's T20 WC 2026 campaign.
3 months ago
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Deepti Sharma took five wickets and India bowled out Pakistan for 106 to successfully begin their latest quest for a first Women's Twenty20 World Cup ****** le on Sunday.
Sharma spun out the last three wickets in five ****** as India defended 170 and won by 64 runs in front of a heavily partisan Edgbaston crowd, a sell-out 18,814, a record attendance for a World Cup group match.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh pulled off a record chase on the same pitch to win the Netherlands' first World Cup match. Bangladesh reached 141-4 with five ****** remaining after having never scored more than 126 in a successful World Cup chase.
India labored through the powerplay but after Smriti Mandhana (68) was dropped on 27 off 24 ****** , she was inspired by the life to lash out. She needed only another 10 ****** to reach 50. She was dropped again on 55 and top-edged onto her own helmet, forcing a concussion check. She passed, smacked her ninth boundary and was out to a great low grab by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.
Mandhana's wicket started a mini collapse including captain Harmanpreet Kaur on 36. India started the 19th over at 132-5, hoping for 150. But Richa Ghosh exploded with 34 off 17 ****** . With Sharma, they took 23 runs off World Cup debutant Tasmia Rubab, and Sana conceded 15 in the last over.
Sharma spun out the last three wickets in five ****** as India defended 170 and won by 64 runs in front of a heavily partisan Edgbaston crowd, a sell-out 18,814, a record attendance for a World Cup group match.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh pulled off a record chase on the same pitch to win the Netherlands' first World Cup match. Bangladesh reached 141-4 with five ****** remaining after having never scored more than 126 in a successful World Cup chase.
India labored through the powerplay but after Smriti Mandhana (68) was dropped on 27 off 24 ****** , she was inspired by the life to lash out. She needed only another 10 ****** to reach 50. She was dropped again on 55 and top-edged onto her own helmet, forcing a concussion check. She passed, smacked her ninth boundary and was out to a great low grab by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.
Mandhana's wicket started a mini collapse including captain Harmanpreet Kaur on 36. India started the 19th over at 132-5, hoping for 150. But Richa Ghosh exploded with 34 off 17 ****** . With Sharma, they took 23 runs off World Cup debutant Tasmia Rubab, and Sana conceded 15 in the last over.
3 months ago
T20 World Cup, Group 1, Edgbaston
India 170-6 (20 overs): Mandhana 68 (44); Fatima 2-33
Pakistan 106 all out (17 overs): Muneeba 41 (35); Deepti 5-10
India won by 64 runs
Scorecard; Tables
India 170-6 (20 overs): Mandhana 68 (44); Fatima 2-33
Pakistan 106 all out (17 overs): Muneeba 41 (35); Deepti 5-10
India won by 64 runs
Scorecard; Tables
