Yastika Bhatia has been given a fresh leadership opportunity after being left out of India’s Women’s Asia Cup squad, with the wicketkeeper-batter appointed captain of India A for the upcoming multi-format series against Australia A.
The Women’s Selection Committee announced separate India A squads on Thursday for three T20s, three One-Day matches and a four-day Multi-Day game. Bhatia will captain the side in the One-Day and Multi-Day fixtures, while Anushka Sharma will lead the T20 team.
The leadership role gives Bhatia an important chance to push for a return to the senior India squad. The 25-year-old has played for India across formats and recently featured in the historic Lord’s Test against England, where she scored a century.
YASTIKA TO LEAD AGAINST STRONG AUSTRALIA A
Bhatia will be joined in the One-Day squad by several familiar names, including Anushka Sharma, Vrinda Dinesh, Priya Punia, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Uma Chetry, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare and Vaishnavi Sharma.
Australia A will also field an experienced squad featuring players such as Darcie Brown and Tayla Vlaeminck, who is returning to representative cricket following an extended injury absence.
Australia A will have different captains for each format. Nicole Faltum will lead the T20 side, Tahlia Wilson will captain the One-Day team and Rachel Trenaman will take charge of the four-day match.
The tour will open with three T20s in New Chandigarh on September 12, 15 and 17. The One-Day series will follow at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on September 20, 23 and 25. The tour will conclude with a four-day match in Dharamshala from September 29 to October 2.
India A squad for Australia T20s: Anushka Sharma (C), Sayali Satghare (VC), Vrinda Dinesh, Sujata Dey, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Shipra Giri (WK), Shweta Sehrawat, Uma Chetry (WK), Tanuja Kanwer, Minnu Mani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Jintimani Kalita, Shabnam Shakeel, Simran Dil Bahadur.
India A squad for One-Day matches: Yastika Bhatia (C) (WK), Anushka Sharma (VC), Vrinda Dinesh, Priya Punia, Tanisha Singh, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Uma Chetry (WK), Minnu Mani, Amandeep Kaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita, Shabnam Shakeel, Akshita Bhagat.
India A squad for the multi-day match: Yastika Bhatia (C) (WK), Anushka Sharma (VC), Shubha Satheesh, Priya Punia, Tanisha Singh, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Mamata Madiwala (WK), Sushree Dibyadarshini, Shuchi Upadhyay, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita, Shabnam Shakeel, Akshita Bhagat.
India A vs Australia A: Series Schedule
September 12: 1st T20 – 6:00 PM IST, New Chandigarh
September 15: 2nd T20 – 6:00 PM IST, New Chandigarh
September 17: 3rd T20 – 6:00 PM IST, New Chandigarh
September 20: 1st One-Day – 2:00 PM IST, PCA Stadium, Mohali
September 23: 2nd One-Day – 9:00 AM IST, PCA Stadium, Mohali
September 25: 3rd One-Day – 2:00 PM IST, PCA Stadium, Mohali
September 29–October 2: Multi-Day fixture – 9:30 AM IST, Dharamshala
